Bogancloch (2024) by Ben Rivers: A Meditative Portrait of Solitary Existence
- dailyentertainment95
- Jul 30
- 8 min read
Short Summary: Life in the Scottish Highlands, Revisited Bogancloch is an observational documentary that returns to the remote Scottish Highlands to chronicle the life of Jake Williams, a modern-day hermit. A spiritual successor to Ben Rivers' acclaimed 2011 film Two Years at Sea, this film portrays Williams' solitary existence across the changing seasons, punctuated by occasional interactions with the outside world. Shot in mesmerizing black-and-white (and some color) on 16mm and 35mm film, the film is a deeply contemplative exploration of self-sufficiency, the passage of time, and the subtle shifts in a life lived in harmony with nature, amidst a rapidly changing world.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32810133/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/bogancloch (UK)
Detailed Summary: A Hermit's Rhythms and Cosmic Reflections Bogancloch offers an intimate look at a life lived outside conventional society.
The film centers on Jake Williams, a man who has lived a quiet, self-sufficient existence for over 40 years at his farm, Bogancloch, nestled in a vast highland forest of Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
It follows Williams through the changing seasons, observing his daily routines and chores, from preparing foraged food (like a pheasant found dead by the road) to maintaining his isolated dwelling.
While largely solitary, Williams' life is occasionally intersected by others: he hosts visitors who gather around a campfire for music, and he even gives lectures on astronomy to high schoolers, using a simple parasol to illustrate the solar system.
The film is without exposition, inviting the viewer to simply observe and reflect on Williams' unique reality. It aims to capture a "different existence of reality observed in discrete moments."
Ben Rivers, who also serves as cinematographer, shot the film on 16mm and 35mm celluloid film, often hand-developing it, which introduces organic textures, glitches, and blemishes that visually reflect the rugged landscape and the passage of time. The film is predominantly in black and white, with striking moments of color.
A central element is a song, described as an "argument between life and death," asserting their cases to rule the world, hinting at the film's philosophical undertones.
The narrative culminates in a notable sequence where Williams takes an outdoor bath in the snow, with the camera eventually soaring upwards for an "eye-of-god shot," emphasizing his remote existence and the film's cosmic perspective.
Director's Vision: Alchemy of Celluloid and Solitude Ben Rivers' vision for Bogancloch is deeply rooted in his ongoing fascination with Jake Williams and the unique possibilities of celluloid film.
Rivers explicitly states that the film is a continuation of his collaboration with Williams, building on the foundations of Two Years at Sea, and allowing him to explore subtle changes in a life lived outside the accelerated pace of modern society.
He aims to "get inside" Williams' world, moving beyond mere observation to capture another "realm of reality," creating a dream-like quality.
The director emphasizes the materiality of celluloid film, often hand-processing it, to create a "sensual" and "soft" aesthetic that reflects the physicality of the landscape and the passage of time. The glitches and blemishes on the film stock are intentional, blurring the line between the subject and the canvas itself.
Rivers employs impeccable framing and a keen awareness of sound design (often using two sets of sound recording) to immerse the audience in Williams' world, even with static wide shots.
He is interested in the interplay of form and content, stating he wants them to "work together in order to create a universe," rather than relying on formulas. The film seeks to evoke contemplation about time, memory, and keeping on going.
Themes: Time, Solitude, Nature, and Resilience Bogancloch explores profound philosophical and existential themes.
The Passage of Time: A central theme is the experience of time in isolation, observing how it flows differently when detached from societal pressures and measured by natural rhythms.
Solitude and Self-Sufficiency: The film is a portrait of a man who has chosen a solitary life, highlighting the quiet dignity and resilience required for self-sufficiency in a wild environment.
Human-Nature Relationship: It emphasizes the deep connection between Williams and the Scottish Highlands, portraying him as completely absorbed by and harmonious with the landscape.
Memory and the Past: Interspersed color photographs of a younger Williams suggest themes of memory, regret, and how past experiences shape the present.
Life, Death, and Cosmic Perspective: The recurring motif of the song about life and death, combined with the film's concluding cosmic zoom-out, encourages contemplation on our place in the universe.
Observation and Contemplation: The film invites the audience to simply observe, fostering introspection about Williams' choices and, by extension, their own lives.
Key Success Factors: Artistic Vision and Unique Subject Bogancloch's success stems from its distinct artistic approach and its compelling subject matter.
Unique Subject Matter: Jake Williams' solitary life offers a rare and fascinating glimpse into an alternative way of living, drawing viewers curious about self-sufficiency and detachment from modern society.
Ben Rivers' Distinctive Style: His signature use of 16mm/35mm film, often hand-processed in black and white, creates a visually rich, tactile, and dream-like aesthetic that is immediately recognizable and highly artistic.
Meditative and Contemplative Tone: The slow pace and lack of exposition invite deep reflection, appealing to audiences who appreciate art cinema and philosophical documentaries.
Strong Critical Acclaim: Its festival premieres and overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics highlight its artistic merit and successful execution of its vision.
Sequel Appeal: As a follow-up to Two Years at Sea, it benefits from an established audience familiar with Williams and Rivers' collaboration, while also being accessible as a standalone film.
Awards and Nominations: Prestigious Festival Premieres Bogancloch has garnered significant attention on the international film festival circuit.
World Premiere: It had its world premiere in the Locarno Competition at the Locarno Film Festival.
CPH:DOX: Featured at CPH:DOX, a major documentary film festival. Rivers previously won the main prize here for Two Years at Sea.
Edinburgh International Film Festival 2024: Was part of the official selection.
Other notable festival appearances include 25FPS, DMZ Docs, Reykjavik Film Festival, Nouveau Cinéma, Lima Alternativa International Film Festival, Festival International du Film de La Roche-sur-Yon (winning the Prix Nouvelles Vagues), FICValdivia, Underdox München, and Viennale.
Its widespread festival presence and critical praise position it as one of the standout art films of 2024.
Critics Reception: A "Body Horror Masterpiece" of Time and Existence Critics have been highly laudatory of Bogancloch, often employing poetic language to describe its unique impact.
IDFA: Describes it as a film where "all sense of time fades away and a new reality comes to the fore—just beneath the surface of everyday life," noting Rivers' ability to capture "everyday wonders that so often go unnoticed."
Ultra Dogme: Highlights Rivers' "continued experiments with the unique possibilities (and limitations) of celluloid film," and how he "unearths an internal movement that is normally invisible" from a seemingly static subject. The film is called "a kind of dream" and praised for its "sensualness" from using film and a "love" for its subject.
Little White Lies: Calls it a "pleasurable hang-out movie that offers hopeful, humanistic musings on repair and rebirth," and a film where "film and landscape are as one," with visual degradation echoing the environment. It's lauded as one of Britain's "most consistently exciting and inquisitive directors."
Film Comment Magazine: Refers to it as "less a sequel than the continuance of an enormous, time-bound poem." The review praises the "feverish tactility" of the images and the way the film "punctures the sense of timelessness" with narrative breaks. It notes the film's "exquisite sequence" and its ability to achieve "intimate immensity," bridging documentary realism with "wild flights of fancy."
Overall Summary: Critics are captivated by Bogancloch's audacious artistic vision, its mesmerizing cinematography, and its deep philosophical undertones. They praise Rivers for creating a deeply immersive and contemplative experience that blurs the lines between documentary and art, offering a unique and profound meditation on existence. Some even humorously refer to it as a "body horror masterpiece" of time due to its visceral nature. While some individual reviews might find the slow pace challenging (as per "Cut To The Take" which called it "soporific" for some), the overwhelming critical consensus is highly positive.
Reviews: A Hypnotic Dive into the Wild Heart General audience and early reviews from festival attendees reflect a strong appreciation for the film's artistic merits, while acknowledging its niche appeal.
Audiences drawn to experimental documentaries and meditative cinema are likely to be deeply impressed by its unique aesthetic and contemplative pace.
The film's use of black-and-white and occasional bursts of color, combined with the raw texture of the film stock, creates a powerful visual experience that reviewers often highlight.
The portrayal of Jake Williams is seen as authentic and compelling, inviting viewers to wonder about his life and thoughts without explicit narration.
"Cut To The Take" (mixed review): While acknowledging "beautiful nature shots, lovely moments with Williams singing or going about his life," and a "great protagonist," this review also highlights a concern that the "indigestibly stagnant pace" and "lack of explanation for certain shots" might put off "average audiences." It suggests the film is more for a "very specific brand of cinephile" and that it "fails to detach itself from the feeling of unreality."
Overall Summary: Reviews generally confirm that Bogancloch is a deeply atmospheric and thought-provoking film, though its slow, observational style means it's not for everyone. For those open to its unique rhythms, it offers a hypnotic and profoundly moving experience.
Why to watch this movie: For a Rare Cinematic Meditation Bogancloch is a compelling watch for specific audiences seeking a unique and profound cinematic experience.
Art House Enthusiasts: If you appreciate experimental, contemplative, and visually striking cinema that pushes boundaries, this film is a must-see.
Nature Documentaries with a Twist: It offers a poetic and philosophical take on the human relationship with nature, far removed from conventional nature documentaries.
Fans of Observational Cinema: If you enjoy films that allow you to simply observe and reflect without heavy narration or plot, this film excels in that regard.
Unique Cinematography: Ben Rivers' signature 16mm/35mm, often hand-processed, black-and-white cinematography creates a visually distinctive and textural experience.
A Deeply Human Portrait: It offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the life of Jake Williams, inviting empathy and introspection about alternative ways of living.
What Movie Trend film is following: Observational Cinema / Slow Cinema / Experimental Documentary Bogancloch epitomizes the trends of Observational Cinema, Slow Cinema, and Experimental Documentary. These movements prioritize extended takes, minimal narrative intervention, and a focus on atmosphere and subtle detail to create an immersive and contemplative viewing experience. They often challenge traditional documentary forms by incorporating artistic flourishes (like hand-processing film) and exploring the subjective experience of time and reality.
What Big Social Trend is following: The Back-to-Nature Movement / Re-evaluation of Consumerism and Connectivity Bogancloch strongly resonates with the contemporary social trend of re-evaluating modern consumerism, constant connectivity, and the search for simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyles, often referred to as the "back-to-nature" or "minimalist" movement. In an increasingly fast-paced and technologically saturated world, films like Bogancloch offer a meditative counterpoint, showcasing an individual who has opted out of mainstream society. It prompts audiences to reflect on the virtues of solitude, living in harmony with the environment, and finding meaning outside of material possessions, tapping into a growing societal desire for authenticity and detachment from the digital grind.
Final Verdict: A Viscerally Beautiful and Profound Meditation Ben Rivers' Bogancloch is a remarkable cinematic achievement, a deeply artistic and profoundly contemplative film that transcends conventional documentary. With its mesmerizing black-and-white cinematography, its intimate portrait of Jake Williams, and its unhurried pace, it invites viewers into a unique world where time flows differently. It's a film not to be merely watched, but to be experienced and absorbed, offering a rich meditation on existence, solitude, and our place in the vastness of nature. While its experimental nature and slow rhythm may not appeal to all, for those open to its singular vision, Bogancloch is a truly unforgettable and essential piece of contemporary cinema.
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