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Katalin Varga (2008)
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An act of violence initiates a tragic cycle of destruction in this slow-burning, Transylvania-set revenge drama. Romanian newcomer Hilda Peter is strikingly intense as the titular peasant wife who embarks on a rural road trip with her son (Norbert Tanko) after her husband discovers he is not the boy's father. She tells him they are going to visit his grandmother, but her real intention is vengeance. Shot over four years by British writer/director Peter Strickland, the foreboding feature paints an authentic and almost timeless portrait of poverty-scarred, Carpathian mountain life. Initially, events have the feeling of a simple and archaic folk tale, as ultra-languid pacing combines with picturesque visuals and an eerie yet deliberately jarring score. Together, these elements create an ominously dreamlike atmosphere that starkly contrasts with Varga's internal emotional conflict. But it's not until the full implications of her vindictive mission hit home that the narrative reveals its true power, resulting in a morally complex and affecting final section. SF
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Tell us what you think
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Running time
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84min
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Country of origin
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UK / Rom
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Genre
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Revenge Drama
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Original language
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Romanian / Hungarian
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Screenplay
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Peter Strickland
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Theatrical distributor
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Artificial Eye
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UK cinema certificate
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15
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UK cinema release date
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October 2009
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Subtitling information
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In Romanian, Hungarian with subtitles
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Film certification logos reproduced by kind permission of BBFC |
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