‘This land has given me so much,’ according to Johann, a headstrong young farmer in a remote region of France who pursues the tradition of his father and grandfather. He feels very close to the earth, the animals and other inhabitants of this small community. He occasionally sleeps with a girlfriend and sometimes he visits his sister who lives in an institution. He has such strong roots that he is the only member of the farmers’ cooperative who refuses to succumb to the economic malaise. But as winter approaches, a fresh tragedy will destroy Johann’s last handhold and force him to make a radical choice. Last Winter, a project set up at CineMart 2009 that had its premiere at the Venice Festival, is the first full-length feature by the US-born but Belgian resident John Shank. In calm shots and with sparse dialogue, he shows the beauty of the landscape as it contrasts with gripping personal drama. Please note: during the public screenings on Thu 2-2 and Fr 3-2, this film is subtitled in Dutch.
Film details
Productielanden
Belgium, France
Jaar
2011
Festivaleditie
IFFR 2012
Lengte
103'
Medium/Formaat
DCP
Taal
French
Première status
None
Director
John Shank
Producer
Joseph Rouschop, Priscilla Bertin, Elisa Larrière, Judith Nora