EN
“What makes Rapt particularly special is its intriguing mix of styles and cinematic techniques. Aesthetically, the film remains partly rooted in the logic of silent film, with a strong visual narrative and an emphasis on montage. At the same time, Kirsanoff seeks to connect with a more realistic narrative. The lyrical montage sequences with images of glistening water, flowers, animals and clouds passing by in timelapse evoke the poetry of avant-garde film, while ethnographic-style passages meticulously observe the customs of the fictional village communities. The film also moves between old and new in its framing. Wide landscapes in which the figures are placed as if in a tableau alternate with more abstract close-ups that are reminiscent of the visual language of silent film. The narrative unfolds like a picture book in which dialogue often serves as a caption but is at the same time interspersed with a more observational gaze.”
