No. 59 (2021) WILDLAND (KOD & bLOD) Palace; Scandinavian Film Festival JULY 21st.

 

Film No. 59 (2021)  July 21st.  2:15 PM  PALACE Cinema 3,  Raine Square,  Perth City. 

"Why do you think your mum avoided them? They're insane."(David's girlfriend Anna asks Ida a question to help answer some fears Ida has about her new existence).

Drama on the big screen with strong social comment is all about actors moving a script with perfect rhythm. The silences are more impactful than the dialogue and the close-ups have us hooked with each stark image or character stare. Welcome to KOD and BlOD (WILDLAND).

Pretty, innocent 17 year old Ida (Sandra Guldberg Kampp) is suddenly an orphan. Her mother and soul-mate is killed in a car accident. The state decrees she must now live with her aunt, Bodil (Sidse Babett Knudsen) and while Ida has been slightly connected to Bodil and her boys, there is a reason her mother has kept family at arms length.

Australian director David Michod created ANIMAL KINGDOM in 2009. Many of the themes of that award winning drama are explored here by Jeanette Nordahl. When comparing the narcissistic matriarchs who rule their families with iron fists,(Bodil(Wildlands)and Smurf Cody (Animal Kingdom) the phrase, "You reap what you sow" is what comes to mind. Both films, however, should be measured separately. Wildlands is a story seen through the eyes of a young girl we hope will escape her torment (adopted family) and fulfil her own full life.

Kampp is superb as Ida. She says little but we trust what she is thinking as the camera lingers on her innocent face. She occupies nearly every scene. Jonus (Joachim Fjelstrup), David (Elliott Crosset Hove) and Mads (Besir Zeciri) have key, creepy scenes with Ida, each showing Nordahi to be a director with a cutting edge. Anna (Carla Philip Roder) David's partner gradually becomes key to the cycle of this dysfunctional family's behaviour, behaviour Bodil controls. This first feature debut means I'm very much looking forward to Nordahl's next.  10GUMS.