Ithaca Fantastik Review: Hagazussa – It’s Art, Man

When I heard that Hagazussa was the director’s thesis film, it felt appropriate to be watching it at Ithaca Fantastik. Here I am back in Ithaca watching student films again!

In four parts, Albrun (Aleksandra Cwn) tends the farm and cares for her baby. Not much happens and what does is open to interpretation, because of course, it’s art, man.

There are boils on people’s backs or maggots crawling over their feet. A lot of gathering food and firewood, milking the cattle, graphic disemboweling.

The scenery is striking and you could be satisfied just watching the fog over the mountains or Albrun trudging through the swamp. It’s not quite Terrence Malick in its ponderous approach to nature, but it’s solid still life. A rumbling monotone score permeates every scene.

Your mileage my vary with Hagazussa and it’s supposed to. He didn’t even plan to release it but it’s the type of film that plays well at festivals. Certainly props are in order for compiling 102 minutes of footage that has a thematic thread, if not quite a narrative one.

Written by
Fred Topel also known as Franchise Fred has been an entertainment journalist since 1999 and specializes in writing about film, television and video games. Fred has written for several outlets including About.com, CraveOnline, and Rotten Tomatoes among others. His favorite films include Toy Story 2, The Rock, Face/Off, True Lies, Labyrinth, The Big Hit, Michael Moore's The Big One, and Casablanca. We are very lucky and excited to have Fred as part of the We Live Entertainment team. Follow him on Twitter @FranchiseFred and @FredTopel

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