Reflective Encounters

“With In The Woods, Sara Grgurić gives us the role of omniscient viewers, immersed in the heart of a crumbling relationship, where the tempo of the two protagonists no longer seems to be in harmony and will slowly continue to go out of tune, set amidst a journey into the verdant landscapes of the Croatian forests. Brilliantly filmed in a particularly meticulous 16mm without any artifice, the overall aesthetic is enhanced by the matte tones of the film roll reinforcing the rural atmosphere and the remote countryside landscapes.

Mainly centered on the female character, the film makes us feel the discomfort this young woman experiences, in contrast with the beautiful summer vibes surrounding her. Despite the fact that the pandemic hiatus allows her to escape to new horizons and may offer her the space & time to rebuild her relationship, it seems impossible for her to find her own identity, her way of being in the world, freeing herself from this discomfort. As if held back by an invisible bond in the midst of this vast landscapes, moments of freedom become rare. In the end, the journey becomes a new prison rather than an escape. Communication is filled with the unsaid and the film leaves us on a bitter note.”

— Florian Fernandez