After his dog runs away, a little boy’s quest for the unknown leads him to a forest where urban legends and reality blend.
The obvious achievement is Marius Matzow Gulbrandsen’s cinematography. And by that, I mean Oskar-level cinematography. Young Adam Ekeli plays the part exactly as he should; other than his skills, Jonas Matzow Gulbrandsen’s directing is to praise. The amazing Zbigniew Preisner’s music adds the final touch with his mesmerising and atmospheric composition. The very slow-paced rhythm and the lack of action should not put you off. Valley of Shadows is the definition of a hero’s journey told in a Scandinavian (Nordic) way.
I accidentally stumbled upon the film, and I am so glad I did. The narrative is extremely restricted, making you experience the aforementioned journey through the kid’s eyes alone. Travel back to that age and try to remember how you perceived reality when you were little. Then, and only then, come back and interpret the events as you see fit. I repeat, do not expect action. Pretend you are that kid having been lost in that eerie yet dazzling forest, knowing nothing about conscious or unconscious elucidations.
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