The Pit, directed by Dace Pūce, Latvia’s submission to the 2022 Oscar’s for Best International Film is something of a contradictory affair; at once a rich and nuanced coming of age story, but also an almost brutalist portrayal of life in small-town Latvia.
Based on a series of stories by Latvian writer Jana Egle, the film follows ten-year old Markuss as he adapts to his new life living with his grandmother in rural Latvia. After an altercation with a neighbourhood girl that endangers her life, Markuss becomes a social outcast, and puts his grandmother’s standing in the community in jeopardy too. Forced to work, he ends up bonding with the reclusive Sailor, who lives in the nearby woods. The development of that friendship and bond is one of the film’s strongest elements.
Alongside Markuss (Damirs Onackis), his grandmother Solveiga (Dace Eversa), and Sailor (Indra Burkovska) there’s a whole cast of troubled townspeople in play too. Most, if not all, are presented as unlikeable, with little to endear any of them to the audience. They’re shown to be conspiratorial, aggressive, vengeful or neglectful in their own ways.
Indeed, even Markuss and his grandmother, aren’t presented in a favourable light, at least not initially. Our initial introduction to Markuss, for example, is to see him ‘teaching the neighbourhood girl a lesson’; and it is not until a decent way into the film that we see him as anything other than sullen and detached. Of course, that sullenness is shown to be justified (to an extent) as the film goes on.
Thematically there is a lot going on in The Pit, and it tackles some heavy subjects, including prejudice, domestic abuse. But, it also explores ideas of forgiveness and redemption too. So there is some light to counteract the moments of darkness. The film perhaps does try to tackle too much, but what it does highlight particularly well is the complex web of secrets, lies and transgressions that can build up in a small town, for better or worse.
The Pit is not without its cliches. At times it hits certain tropes heavily, and can be overly dramatic. But, it is a film unafraid to explore some heavy subject matters. The storytelling is accessible and reward, despite being occasionally vague. The development of Sailor and Markuss’ story arc, and the impact it has on the wider plot, was done particularly well, and for me lifts the rest of the film. An enjoyable, if at times grim and unpleasant watch. Maybe keep some tissues on hand.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The Pit is screening now as part of Europa! Europa Film Festival. For more information visit HERE.
Content Warning: There are scenes depicting domestic violence and one scene depicting a deceased infant.
