The Raven’s Dance

A married couple and an elderly man live in a remote part of Finland. The young man hunts to support his family. One day their quiet life is interrupted by the advance of civilisation: the Police punish them for the lack of a required license, while a chainsaw announces a new highway construction. In his first feature, which premiered at the Berlinale, Lehmuskallio tried to convey a love for nature and life in the forest. This ascetic cinematic painting was meticulously crafted after hundreds of shooting days. Forty-three years later, this film still represents a unique perspective on ecology.