The Cold Lands

Important life truths are not often enough depicted realistically in modern-day film; too often extremes or violence are used. How pleasing to enjoy a film designed to rely to a large degree the honest emotions of the three main actors in this modern-day off-the-beaten-path play. The beauty of nature permeates much of it; sound and cinematography are top notch as are the smooth edits propelling our protagonist forward. Script is sparse and rounded; we are usually left to determine true meaning from context and body language. To me, this is a hallmark of mature adult story telling.

What are the life truths revealed here? A shocking loss and separation from the cocoon of a caring family forces a child to make decisions on his own while leveraging their teachings. Eluding the potential social net captivity leads to a kinder albeit undisciplined friendship with a similar lost soul. The threads of living a life day to day, making do with fundamentals - ones wits, learned abilities and deficits - weave throughout the tale. We learn key morals and truths such as right and wrong, respect and human interaction are all intertwined with a positive attitude and connection to the natural world, not through rigorous dogma or materialism. Touchingly simple yet fine production, message and approach. For me, time well spent.