Albania, a cuasirural town filled with supertisions and deep blood feuds that run forever. A family with a failing business and a minor altercation with a group of mountain kids ignite an old blood feud that was supposedly over. This family that doesn't feel threatened by old traditions now is right smack in the middle of an old blood feud. Its a slow burn film and I love that if they wow me at the end, like a movie once said. Brutal, gory, haunting. This is my thing.

Somewhat of a let-down after The Horseman, this second feature from Kastrissios, set in Albania, has a strong sense of mood and decent performances.

But otherwise it does nothing to distinguish itself from similar blood feud dramas that tap into an inexorable, demented primalism.

Eagerly awaiting his long gestating third feature which is supposedly in post production.

I have no idea what transpired during the 80 minutes of this film, I spent most of it swiping profiles on Hinge and learnt that somebody I worked with is cheating on her husband. So much for family, which is somehow the theme of this movie.

Glasgow Frightfest 2017 Film # 10

MIFF 2017 Film #8:
My personal bar of expectations was low for this one & I'm not sure they cleared it.
80 minutes long & it felt a bit padded.
This tale of an Albanian family feud has the slightest residue of supernatural elements, so MIFF organisers decided to place it into this year's slightly anaemic Night Shift section.
As my mate Jon said, the only thing that qualifies this for Night Shift is its 11:30pm screening time.
Extra points for using all of the Instagram filters in the space of one film (the digital grading was a bit over the top, but interesting.).
Just barely watchable, but I wouldn't go looking for it.

BLOODLANDS was a solid film, a story built around the true tradition of Albanian blood feuds, only with one of the families involved having an ancient witch for a matriarch. The film is at its best in the opening half, with kitchen sink drama interspersed with deeply eerie dream sequences. Once the plot mechanics kick in for the climax of the film it never quite hits high gear. Still, a suitably engaging, well-acted film.

Full review: filmblitz.org/bloodlands-2017/

I would have preferred it the film had reached these genre elements earlier, perhaps instead of moping around with Artan and his camera, the final act feels a little rushed, when there's potential for an extended battle between the two groups. However, what we get early on is still interesting, because it's a glimpse into a world I hadn't seen before, and that alone is enough to make it worthwhile. Much credit is due to Kastrissios, who is Australian, for creating something which feels authentically Albanian - though I'm hardly in any position to judge. Scenic Albania appears to be, although on the basis of this I couldn't recommend it as a holiday destination. Particularly if you're a sheep...

Decent enough as a horror film with some decent gore. The main thing that would set this apart from other films cut with a similar cloth is that the plot is rooted in the tradition of al Abanian blood feuds. The actual scares and horror scenes however don't do too much for me. A clunky third act really does bring down the 1st half of the film when it was more rooted in drama and honestly felt more appealing.

There is also some very nice establishing shots littered within and some very good performances from the main cast. Maybe the film would've faired better as a drama with horror elements and some kind of replacemt for the supernatural matriarch.

(7.7)