EUFF 2022: The Pit

Latvia/Finland | Dace Pūce | 2020 | 107 min

Markuss (Damir Onackis), a young man adapting to countryside life with his grandmother, is at the centre of this intimate and affecting family drama. After Emīlija, a neighbour’s daughter, throws some contemptuous remarks about the boy’s father his way, vengeful Markuss decides to teach her a lesson. His actions have severe consequences that send shock waves through the village. Forced to work as punishment, he begins to nurse a deep hatred towards the other villagers. There is one person Markuss can relate to, however: an old sailor living in the nearby woods. They inspire one another and keep each other’s secrets. Through a series of startling and unexpected events, the boy’s reputation will radically change. The Pit won the Grand Prix at Nordic Film Days in Germany and was Latvia’s entry for Best International Film at the 94th Academy Awards.

“A small jewel of a film … Splendidly staged and acted, [with] a refined, neat visual style … Liberating, moving, and powerfully cathartic.” Davide Abbatescianni, Cineuropa