The film opens with Freudian quote, highlighting the repressed sexuality as the source of fear and neurosis. The terror element in this film enters slowly, the development takes its time, small clues present themselves. From sexual innocence to sexual experience, and all the terrors and wonders that accompany that journey are represented in gorgeous, fantastical ways. This is a really wonderful movie, totally gorgeous and endlessly intriguing. The images that director Vasili Mass packs into the frame will stick with you long afterwards, dreamlike and meaningful and sinister and beautiful all at the same time. Aurelija Anuzhite as Vita is absolutely perfect, playful and childlike while at the same time achingly, sexually gorgeous. Highly recommended for the fans of Jaromil Jires, Jean Rollins, Hans W. Geißendorfer, Tadeusz Konwicki, Walerian Borowczyk, Kaneto Shindo, Frantisek Vlacil, and Juraj Herz.
