The story of a lonely 9-year-old girl who kidnaps a much younger girl for a day and treat her as if it were her own child. The film unfolds as the camera follows the 2 characters and the director examines Wrony's childhood feelings of loneliness or rejection--and the explorations that all of humans are subject to. It's a charming film, despite the dark nature of the story telling. What I found was probably the one of most intelligent coming-of-age films I've seen with minimalistic approach. All of the performances are right on target and the director has woven a tapestry of individual scenes that sparkle with truth and innocence. The acting by Wrona (Karolina Ostrozna) and the little girl is superb. There is an element of fantasy in the surface of the mind but nothing off-putting or tedious like so many American or French films. And it is precisely the eye of Wrony to set the narrative and above all perceptual structure of the film. The director of photography does a good job and captures very intense shots. It focuses on the nature linked to the girl's totems: scattered Clouds, waves, balloon with bold tones contrasting with the heavy and bleak narrative. Overall, CROW is a tale that may not have a happy ending but brings an impressive realism of longing for love and where the joy lies in the smallest and simplest experiences. I bet arthouse fans will appreciate the naivety and sincerity of this movie.
