Harvest (2024) by Athina Rachel Tsangari: A Haunting Allegory of Community and Collapse
- dailyentertainment95
- Aug 8
- 5 min read
Short Summary: An Idyll Undone In an unnamed and timeless village, the traditional way of life is brutally disrupted over seven hallucinatory days. Harvest is a visionary "nihilist western" from director Athina Rachel Tsangari that explores a remote community's descent into xenophobia and paranoia when outside forces, representing capitalism and modernity, threaten their way of life. Adapted from Jim Crace's novel, the film is a haunting allegory about the fragility of community and the perils of greed.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13610344/
Link Review: https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/sep/03/harvest-review-folk-non-horror-an-exasperating-experience
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/harvest-2024-0 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/harvest-2024 (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/harvest-2024 (UK)
Detailed Summary: A Community Unravels
The Seeds of Discord: The film is set in a remote village where life is governed by ancient traditions. Walter Thirsk, a widower and something of an outsider, witnesses the arrival of outsiders.
Scapegoats and Suspicion: When a fire consumes the village stables, the community's natural suspicion of outsiders turns into a wave of paranoia. A pair of drifters are unjustly scapegoated, and the village's internal tensions escalate.
The Death of a Way of Life: The arrival of a cartographer and the new landowner's cousin, who represents the forces of unchecked capitalism, accelerates the community's collapse. The "Enclosure bill" transforms common land into private property, destroying the villagers' traditional way of life and leading to their displacement.
Director's Vision: A Nihilist Western
A Timeless Allegory: Athina Rachel Tsangari, a key figure in the "Greek Weird Wave," frames Harvest as a "nihilist western." The film is intentionally set in an unspecified time and place, giving it a mythical and allegorical quality. Tsangari is less interested in a historical drama and more in a "period-myth" that reflects contemporary issues.
Focus on Atmosphere and Texture: The film is rich in atmospherics, using stunning 16mm cinematography to immerse the audience in a pre-industrial world. Tsangari emphasizes the sensory aspects of the film, from the howling wind to the textures of the land, to create a tangible and lived-in world.
A Deconstruction of the Hero's Journey: Tsangari deliberately subverts the traditional western narrative, where a hero saves the day. Instead, the protagonist, Walter, is a passive and introspective character who is unable to prevent his community's destruction. The film is more of a "sense of drifting" than a story with a traditional character arc.
Themes: The Corrosive Nature of Greed
The Contagion of Xenophobia: The film is a powerful commentary on how fear and paranoia can poison a community. The villagers' suspicion of outsiders quickly devolves into violence and injustice, serving as a warning about the dangers of groupthink and scapegoating.
The Trauma of Modernity: Harvest explores the brutal clash between a traditional, agrarian way of life and the encroaching forces of modernity and capitalism. The Enclosure bill represents the death of a communal way of living and the birth of a more individualized, profit-driven society.
Man's Relationship to Land: The film is a deep reflection on the spiritual and physical connection between people and the land they inhabit. The loss of the land to private interests is a loss of identity and community, highlighting the devastating impact of unchecked capitalism on both nature and humanity.
Key success factors: Sensory Immersion and Nuanced Performances
Stunning Cinematography: Sean Price Williams' gorgeous 16mm cinematography is a major success factor, capturing the rugged beauty of the Scottish landscape and creating a powerful sense of place.
Thematic Depth and Ambiguity: Tsangari's nuanced direction, which avoids easy answers and clear-cut heroes, allows the film to resonate on a deeper, more intellectual level. The film's resistance to a traditional narrative structure and its rich thematic resonance make it a compelling work.
Powerful Ensemble Cast: The film's success also relies on the committed performances of its cast, including Caleb Landry Jones as the passive protagonist and Harry Melling as the weak-willed lord of the manor. The use of locals as extras adds to the film's authenticity.
Awards and Nominations: A Promising Debut Harvest has garnered significant attention at various film festivals, including the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. The film is adapted from a Booker Prize-nominated novel, and the script was co-written with Joslyn Barnes, an Oscar-nominated producer. These factors, along with positive critical reviews, suggest the film is a strong contender for future awards.
Critics Reception: A Divisive but Compelling Work
Little White Lies: The review praises the film as a "remarkably compelling work" and a "transportive cine-poem." It highlights the stunning cinematography and the strong performances, while also noting that the film's subtle approach to racism and its slow pace may be challenging for some viewers.
Cineuropa: This review describes Harvest as a film that is "more fascinating than it is intelligible." It notes that while the first half is slow, the arrival of new characters makes the second half more engaging. The review highlights the film's themes of belonging and power play.
Overall Summary: Critics appear to be somewhat divided on the film's pacing and narrative clarity, but there is a clear consensus on the film's visual beauty, thematic depth, and its power as an allegory. Many have praised its distinctive style and its unique take on the "western" genre.
Reviews: Positive Festival Buzz Reviews from film festivals like Venice and Toronto indicate a positive reception. The film is described as a "haunting allegory" and a "brutal and earthy tale." While some may find its slow pace and lack of a traditional hero's journey to be a flaw, most reviews suggest that the film's immersive world-building and thematic richness make it a worthwhile cinematic experience.
Why to watch this movie: A Timely and Thought-Provoking Allegory
A Visually Stunning Experience: The film's beautiful 16mm cinematography is a reason to watch in itself, offering a rare and captivating look at a bygone era.
A Humanist and Timely Story: Despite its period setting, the film's themes of xenophobia, capitalism, and the dissolution of community are incredibly relevant to the modern world.
A Unique Cinematic Voice: For fans of arthouse and independent cinema, this is a must-watch from a director with a unique and powerful vision.
Movie Trend: The Folk Horror Revival While director Tsangari has described the film as a "nihilist western" and not a folk horror film, it undeniably follows the trend of the folk horror revival. With its setting in a remote, superstitious community, its exploration of pagan rituals, and the sense of existential dread that permeates the story, Harvest shares many characteristics with this resurgent genre.
Social Trend: Anti-Capitalism and the Search for Community Harvest is deeply rooted in the social trend of questioning unchecked capitalism and its impact on communities and the environment. The film's allegorical nature reflects a growing societal anxiety about the loss of traditional ways of life and the increasing alienation caused by a profit-driven world.
Final Verdict: A Powerful and Unforgettable Vision Harvest is a challenging but ultimately rewarding film. Athina Rachel Tsangari's distinct artistic voice, combined with stunning visuals and a powerful allegorical story, makes for a unique cinematic experience. It is a film that will not provide easy answers or a feel-good ending, but instead, will provoke thought and leave a lasting impression. It is a must-watch for those who appreciate art that grapples with the big questions of our time.
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