Joshua First - Sergei Paradjanov: Shadows of the Forgotten Ancestors

Set high in the Carpathian Mountains in the historic region of Bukovina, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors tells the story of Ivanko, a Hutsul (one of several highland tribes in the Ukrainian-Romanian borderlands) boy who falls in love with Marichka, a girl from a rival family. The two children meet after the girls father kills Ivankos dad. They grow up together and secretly intend to marry. Marichka becomes pregnant, but has to spend the spring and summer alone as Ivanko tends sheep in a highland pasture. While separated, Marichka dies in an accident on the Cheremosh River. Receiving a supernatural premonition, Ivanko hurriedly descends to the village, only to find her body washed ashore. After a period of mourning, he marries Palahna, a young woman from a wealthy family. Although their wedding is an elaborate and joyous occasion, the two never love each other, and their marriage is one of convenience. Moreover, Palahnas unhappiness with Ivankos inability (or unwillingness) to give her a child leads her to the arms of the village sorcerer. After witnessing their courtship in the village tavern, Ivanko threatens to kill the sorcerer, but ends up on the wrong side of an axe; as he dies, he has a vision of reuniting with Marichka in the forest. The film ends with a traditional Hutsul funeral for Ivanko, as the villagers alternately wail over his body, dance, smoke and cavort.