When Spoor (2017; Pokot) opens with a sweeping shot of the majestic snowy landscape of the Klodzko Valley where it is set, accompanied by Antoni Lazarkiewicz’s thunderous score, I was reminded of the Coen Brothers’ Fargo. However, this film directed by Agnieszka Holland is not as nihilistic as the Coens, with strong environmental themes, introducing a call to action in the face of an uncaring world within its murder mystery plot. Based on the novel Drive Your Plow Over The Bones Of The Dead by Olga Tokarczuk, the story focuses on Duszejko (Agnieszka Mandat), an elderly woman who lives with her dogs in the countryside. Teaching English part-time to young children who adore her, Duszejko is otherwise mocked and belittled by representatives of the town, mostly men who dislike her advocacy for animals when the popular past time is hunting. However, when a cruel poacher is found dead in his cabin, this sets off a string of deaths that look to be caused by animals – are they taking revenge or is something else going on? The great thing about Spoor is while it keeps the murder mystery angle cooking, it also provides a great character study through Mandat’s excellent performance, a woman who does not hold back from calling things out, yet is also empathetic and caring to those who are abused or hurt. The small crew of like minded souls that she forms a community with, including her grumpy neighbour, are a delight and everything is influenced by the history of Poland. (The supporting cast also includes Tomasz Kot, one of the leads from Cold War.) It’s a great looking ecotext with its sweeping vistas, which moves through the different seasons as the narrative progresses. Spoor advocates strongly for action on behalf of the kind and the weak, and is a dark thriller that is also charming thanks to its main character as well as angry in its heart at the state of the world. I really liked Spoor and was compelled to watch it on Patrick Pittman’s recommendation. You can stream it on SBS OnDemand or Stan. Recommended.
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