Murina (2021)
Really impressive debut feature from Kusijanović. The shots in the beginning made me almost feel like a dirty old man with how the camera looked at Julija. Which is a testament to both the director and cinematographer with how they subverted the usual sexualized male gaze of a young woman, with somehow changing it in subtle ways to get a different effect. This effectively sets the underlying misogynistic environment of the rest of the film. I like how the abuse and controlling behaviour of the father is mostly just implied, lurking beneath the surface of this small family that live in this beautiful part of the world. The story may be a bit formulaic at times and there are no real surprises along the way, but the acting is superb in that subtle repressed way I tend to appreciate so much when it is done correctly.
Rating: 4