This was a wonderfully creepy way to kick things off. It's a thinly veiled take on Lovecraft's 'Shadow over Innsmouth,' but what it really brought to mind was Argento's 'Suspiria.' It's highly atmospheric, sacrifices plot at the expense of style, and Baino paints his subterranean catacombs and wandering heroine with orange, flickering candlelight, not unlike how Argento bathed Jessica Harper in red gel lights as she explored the school. It's very deliberately paced (no dialogue until about 10 minutes in, and then it's another 10 or so before we get any actual, real conversations), at least until the last third where it dumps a whole bunch of convoluted plot in your lap at breakneck pace. That should be a detriment, but just adds to the disorienting nature of the film. Great dream sequences, wonderful settings, adequate acting...the only drawback is the score, which is anything but subtle and is very much of its time - synths attempting to replicate orchestral sounds and falling flat on its face. Plenty of creepy religiosity, formless beasts, secret family histories, and lots of very striking visuals - well worth the time. It was filmed in post-Soviet Ukraine, so I guess it's very timely as well. Or not.
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