Black Field

Black Field (2009) is a haunting drama set in 19th century rural Ontario, Canada, and is a coming-of-age story of a young woman named Fanny (Sara Canning). The movie is directed by Danishka Esterhazy and written by her and her sister Ingrid Veninger.

The film opens with Fanny’s father, a strict religious man, who is convinced his daughter is possessed by demons. He takes her to a convent for exorcism but the nuns find nothing wrong with Fanny. Despite this, Fanny continues to struggle with feelings of guilt and self-blame.

Black Field then delves into the complexities of Fanny’s relationships within her family – including her father who is distant and almost cruel to her, her mother who is struggling with post-partum (as well as a stillborn baby), and her brother who is infatuated with Fanny. Despite this, Fanny finds solace in her relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Elias (Mathieu Bourguet).

Elias is not well-liked by Fanny’s family, particularly her father, who sees Elias as an uneducated farmhand. Fanny’s mother, however, views Elias as a potential escape from the suffocating confines of their small rural community. The relationship between Elias and Fanny is both tender and sensual, and their chemistry creates a sense of innocence and discovery that resonates with the film’s powerful themes.

As the movie progresses, Fanny struggles with social isolation and the feeling that she does not belong in her small community. She becomes increasingly desperate to escape and find a sense of belonging. Her father, meanwhile, is determined to marry her off to a wealthy farmer named Magnus (Ferron Guerreiro), who is older and sinister-looking. Magnus is clearly interested in Fanny’s pretty face and her father is easily convinced to accept his proposal.

With Fanny torn between her duty to her family and her love for Elias, the film paints a haunting and powerful picture of the complexity of relationships and the human psyche. As tensions rise between Fanny, her father, Elias, and Magnus, Black Field reaches a dramatic crescendo that will have audiences on the edge of their seats.

Ultimately, Black Field is a fascinating look at the power dynamics between individuals and society, and the tension between social status, love, and individual identity. Esterhazy and Veninger’s script is brought to life by the superb performances of the actors, especially Sara Canning and Mathieu Bourguet, who bring an intense emotional depth and palpable chemistry to their characters. The film is quite beautiful visually as well, with gorgeous cinematography that captures the atmospheric beauty of rural Ontario.

In short, Black Field is a beautiful and thought-provoking movie that explores the complexity of human nature and the delicate balance between love, freedom, and tradition. It is an evocative and poignant work that will stay with audiences long after the credits roll.