Thus Spoke the Wind, an Armenian drama, receives a disappointing review, prioritizing art over substance. Russian director Maria Rigel’s latest film offers a slow, largely incomprehensible look at Armenian society. Rigel, previously known as Mariya Batova, filmed in Armenia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Inspired by Parajanov and Sokurov, she aimed to explore gender roles and familial ties, but the film fails to achieve these ambitions. The review details the film’s structure, segmented into three sections beginning with night-vision shots from a hunting rifle. It introduces Hayk, a boy bullied for his perceived lack of Armenian masculinity, and his aunt Narine, who manages a lavash factory.
The arrival of Hayk’s mother, Anahit, disrupts this equilibrium. Anahit’s unconventional appearance and past create tension within the village, leading to accusations and conflict. The review highlights the film’s obfuscated narrative, relying on off-screen arguments and lingering tracking shots, contributing to a feeling of excessive length.
Despite the film’s runtime of 90 minutes, the choices create a draining experience. However, the score by Steve Brand offers a memorable element. Despite touching upon important themes like a woman’s sexuality and toxic masculinity within an armenian context, the film lacks depth, presenting a muddled and ultimately incomprehensible piece.
The review concludes that “Thus Spoke the Wind” is more enigmatic than enlightening. This review, penned by Xandie (Alexandra) Kuenning, assesses the film’s artistic choices and overall impact.
Topics: #armenian #review #thus
The film, “Thus Spoke the Wind,” a dramatic work from Armenia, is deemed underwhelming, emphasizing artistic merit over meaningful content. Russian director Maria Rigel’s recent movie presents a delib
The film “Thus Spoke the Wind,” a dramatic work set in Armenia, is deemed underwhelming, emphasizing artistic merit over meaningful content. Director Maria Rigel’s recent production presents a deliber