100 Essential Films That Deserve More Attention - 56. The Eve of Ivan Kupala

People embrace the enchanting glow of the big screen for all manner of reasons; to journey to faraway places they could only ever imagine, to experience the escapism of a captivating story, or maybe to indulge in an obsession with the world of cinema. For me, all three of these reasons apply - and many more - but first and foremost is the satisfaction of recommending obscure films to other like-minded individuals who adopt them as their new favourites.

With over 100 years worth of films to choose from, and many of these now available at the click of a button, it can be extremely difficult to narrow your choices down to pick a film to watch. Although cinema has been around for over four times longer than my life on this earth, I have spent what some may consider an unhealthy amount of these years delving into the history of films to discover some of the best hidden gems out there.

This series of articles aims to highlight the overlooked masterpieces that I have unearthed whilst exploring the forgotten recesses of cinema. Take a gamble on any one of these films and I guarantee that you will be eagerly awaiting all future instalments in this series. You may well have heard of a number of these films; my aim isn't merely to shine a spotlight on the most obscure films out there, but to share my enjoyment of those films which don't have the cult following I believe they deserve.

The Eve of Ivan Kupala
Director - Yuri Ilyenko

Country - Soviet Union

Year - 1968

Runtime - 71 minutes

The Eve of Ivan Kupala is a surreal adaptation of a Ukrainian folk tale that extends a hallucinatory gaze into a culture awash with age old rituals and spiritual connections to the natural world. Its eerie vision of a peasant, Piotr (Boris Khmelnitskiy), who makes a pact with the devil to obtain a mass of riches and the love of a woman, Pidorka (Larisa Kadochnikova) - whose father forbids them to marry - is a transcendental piece of film-making that is capable of bewitching audiences with its strange, ethereal delights. Familiarity with the cautionary tale this film is based upon is not a necessary prerequisite to bask in its otherworldly offerings as the hypnotic imagery delivers a wealth of evocative scenes that stir up a child-like fascination with Director Yuri Ilyenko's enrapturing creativity.

Ilyenko's dazzling camerawork conjures up a kaleidoscope of wonders as the enchanting colour schemes and spellbinding compositions take us on a magical journey that we hope never reaches an end. Although The Eve of Ivan Kupala belongs to the realm of fantasy there are unsettling scenes which tap into a primal horror where the dizzying camera movements disorient us as Piotr becomes encircled by supernatural beings. The inventive use of colour lenses warp our perception of these beguiling sequences in which the devil makes his appearance, enhancing the sensation of fear that engulfs Piotr, yet fails to over-ride his innate desire for untold riches and the incomparable beauty of the woman he lusts after.

Fireballs ricochet down hillsides in the background as villagers adorned in floral costumes and animal masks partake in ceremonial dances reminiscent of the pagan practices prevalent in The Wicker Man and Midsommar. These celebrations usher in a jubilant mood before casting a shadow over Piotr's designs on Pidorka as the playfulness of those participating passes and a sinister undercurrent begins to flourish. Those who dabble in the occult usually pay a hefty price for their sins and Piotr's attempts at retaining Pidorka's heart and his newfound wealth are met with twisted rebuffs from the Devil as the macabre manifestations start to consume him.

Like his fellow countryman and celebrated auteur, Andrei Tarkovsky, Ilyenko has an unnatural talent for elegantly capturing the beauty of nature, instilling his film with a sublime artistry that transports us into his extraordinary vivid imagination. These serene moments are often interrupted by a cavalcade of absurdity and the unharmonious juxtaposition of these moods should be jarring but Ilyenko binds them together seamlessly, unifying the discordant themes with his adept command of the medium. The relentless stream of ideas that flows forth is communicated in an enthralling manner as the sumptuous set designs play host to madcap performances from a cast who relish the bizarre sensibilities of a production infused with unparalleled creativity. This is an astonishing piece of art; an unconventional masterpiece where its only shortcoming is its brevity, and it acts as the perfect gateway into the mind of an inspired auteur.

The intriguing narrative takes a backseat to the visual feast we are invited upon as Ilyenko drapes his fantasy with a swathe of symbolism. This is a feast of plenty encompassing folklore that is likely to be unfamiliar to many audiences but its potency is not lost in translation due to the painstaking craftsmanship of the delivery. The Eve of Ivan Kupala is not just a film; it's a breathtaking experience that leaves you in awe of its vigorous and energetic telling of an ancient tale using striking techniques to evoke a powerful sense of sorcery. Piotr's life is totally transformed by his encounter with the devil and, although your encounter with Ilyenko's masterpiece will (thankfully) not come with the same trappings that are thrust upon Piotr, it will undoubtedly be an experience that transforms your appreciation for the incredible mind responsible for this visceral piece of art.

If you take the time to watch The Eve of Ivan Kupala then it would be awesome if you could also take the time to let me know what you thought of it, either by commenting below or tweeting me @filmbantha. Thanks, and enjoy!

For previous instalments in the series click here