In The Earth
In The Earth opens with a monolith and ends with a hallucinogenic trip accompanied by Clint Mansell’s synth score . . . Scientist Dr Martin Lowery arrives at the remote Gantalow Lodge to take some much-needed equipment to former collegue – Dr Olivia Wendle. Wendle is well-known for her theory that all the trees in a forest are connected, but she has not been seen for months. Lowery is joined by park ranger Alma (Ellora Torchia), who alerts him to mythology of Parnag Fegg, the ancient spirit that supposedly lives in the forest. All seems fine until the pair meet Zach, a man living in the woods played by Reece Shearsmith.
The film captures the moment with the details . . . masks, social distancing and a scene-stealing turn from a lateral flow test. In The Earth explores the world between folklore and science – technology as magic and vice versa and the ways nature might be communicating to, or even through us.
It’s an emotional experience . . . part survivalist, part trashy slash thriller, filled with dread & intensity. The wild editing – flash cuts, jump cuts, abrupt cuts & strobe effects only add to the atmosphere. Similar to A Field in England’s psychedelic trip . . . the final act enters a new realm of craziness that offers no solution or resolution.
In The Earth is smart and just a little daft. If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise . . . especially if you watch this film . . .
The film was released earlier in the summer and is scheduled for DVD & Blu ray release in October.
