By Roger Costa
THE HARVESTERS
Looking deep into the horizon, the vast desert, mountainous, and prosperous land owned by his family, young boy Janno is struggling to maintain control of his emotions. Born and raised into a strictly religious community denominated Afrikaners, known for its few remaining survivors from a history of humiliation and killings, he’s the eldest son of a devoted family of farmers. Their practices consist in constant prayers, spiritual education and rituals, as well as cultivating the land, the animals and their social relations outside. When they find an abandoned, rebel teen, seeking for help and rehabilitation, their faith and integrity are put at test by the Divine and through their own perspectives. They shelter the kid, attempting to heal his wounds, traumas and mundane habits, embracing him as a new member of the family. Already in conflict with his own identity, sexuality, and beliefs, Janno is as threatened by his arrival as he’s fascinated by it. The secrets involving his dislocation from the big city, where he practiced drugs and prostitution, to the remote farm, stirs up in Janno his inner desires and repulsion, as well as his fear of abandon.
Forced to develop a friendship in order to help rescuing him from his dark past, Janno is fueled with jealousy and insecurity, but he’s also filled with humanitarian values guiding his decisions; That makes him the direct, most fortified bridge connecting each players’ role among the individual conflicts surging: Pieter carries with him the power of unveiling people’s masks, causing a self-examination on the weakened father, the long-suffering mother and the aging, rude grandfather. He also comes to terms with the Pastor and other locals. Yet, Janno is the conductor of these emotions about collide, and despite the remote, quiet area they live in, the circumstances are very alike of a ticking bomb.
In another key-scene, Janno finishes his night prayers, and sits down on the bed, turning the lights on and off, as he imagines a boy-scout crush coming for him. The battle between holy and carnal depicted here is atmospheric and thought-provoking. And also there’s a strong, contagiously touching sensibility permeating this truthful approach of a devoted kid in conflict with his desires. The sumptuous, hypnotizing cinematography highlights the subtle homo-eroticism in the narrative. Writer-director Etienne Kallos fearlessly examines this turbulent coming of age story with accomplished results as he intensely explores these kids’ troubles, as well as the silent anguish of the adults.
A celebrated selection at Cannes, Miami and São Paulo Film Festivals, Kallos shots his drama with lyricism, gripping suspense and influences of neo-realism, conceiving a very touching and provocative look at family bond and faith. Undoubtedly, a promising feature-length debut.
(Altered Innocence. 9/13. Roxy Cinema NYC. Director Etienne Kallos in-person for Q&As on Friday at 7PM and Saturday at 5:30PM.)
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