"We have more ghosts than live people."
This is a dreamlike Belarusian folk horror from 1980, set in 1900. It's a haunting, atmospheric slow burn tale of myth, superstition, and the supernatural. The film follows a young researcher of legends, Andrei Bielarecki, who ventures into the remote Belarusian countryside to investigate local folklore. He finds himself, on a dark and stormy night, at a secluded castle where he encounters remaining members of a family haunted by a centuries-old curse. The legend tells of King Stakh, a local ruler who was betrayed and murdered. Now, he and his huntsmen are said to roam the mash land, seeking revenge.
Pretty quickly bodies start to accumulate. Is it the long dead king? Or is there something else going on among the local colorful characters? Bielarecki receives plenty of warnings form the local authorities to clear out.
"The Savage Hunt of King Stakh" is visually impressive, dripping with all things gothic, with lush cinematography and a haunting score. The Belarusian countryside serves as a backdrop for a chilling tale of folklore and superstition. The film's slow pacing allows the atmosphere to build slowly and steadily.
The performances are solid, with the actors conveying a sense of dread and unease. The film's supernatural elements are handled with a sense of restraint, allowing the viewer's imagination to fill in the gaps.
It's hard to image what the film industry must have been like in Belarus in the era of the Soviet Union. But if you enjoy this sort of horror, it's a terrific film for fall and winter nights. This is an experience.
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