Watching this late at night on my own is a slightly disturbing experience but the film has an elegaic charm (or magic) of its own with its music and subdued voice track..
It addresses man's ancient connection with the earth through custom and ritual and how that could be destroyed by modern life. The customs and rituals aren't always pretty or easy to contemplate - more Frazer's GOLDEN BOUGH than Thomson's LARK RISE TO CANDLEFORD. It reminded me a little of a book ny George Mackay Brown - GREENVOE - in its intertwining of the past and the present through ancient rituals.
I've seen another work by this director - FOR THOSE IN PERIL - and I admire his poetic sensibility.
Review of Arcadia
