I haven't watched much recently. A few horror films for Halloween that I enjoyed. And recently watching through a television series from Austria called Inspector Rex, which is basically just Monk but with a dog instead. The film itch returned, however. I've been trying to find something artistic to check out and found it to be quite a struggle, though somehow, somewhere I stumbled across a piece on Ida and how the director was tired of the formulaic style of modern filmmaking, and how he wanted to pursue something that was more photographic. More focused on reality and without the constant use of theatrical music and the likes. This appealed to me a lot, where it sounded like it would feel more like a documentary than anything else. I think as a watcher of films I could relate to the things the director was saying. I too grew tired of watching films that felt too similar in their styles, too structured. I really wanted something that was more photographic.
The film takes place in 1960s Poland, a nation still very much battered from the aftermath of the Second World War. Where things were still a bit tense based on the previous acts that took place just more than a decade prior. Following an orphan that has grown up within a monastery and turned Nun. Only in her later life to discover she has some family which she's advised to go and visit. It's here than the Nun is told that she's actually Jewish, and of course this leads Anna into a new path in life as she attempts to discover her family's past. This is a short and simple film in that regard. It's a film that has a very short runtime of just over 120 minutes, and its story being explorative of the past and about the discovery of who a person is based on it.
The film is also a bit of a question of faith for Anna. A test to see where her faith remains as she embarks on this adventure, seeing the impact of the Second World War and how it left her parents dead within in unknown location as a result of their faith. Particularly with Anna preparing to take her vows under Catholicism. This is definitely a film that speaks on the question of faith and whether it means anything. Giving question to Anna based on her ability to maintain that faith upon discovering more of the world, and being tempted by sin through the interactions with others along the way. Witnessing stories of death and degeneracy. Each slowly trying to push her away from the Covenant. I can't say I'm a fan of such stories, I feel it's something that has been done to death already. But what kept me watching really was that beautiful directing and cinematography.
On the other hand, much of the misery of the film comes in the form of Anna's aunt. A woman that has been burdened with the trauma of the Second World War, having directly known of and witnessed the loss of her entire family. As the only survivor beyond Anna, her life hasn't turned out ideal. It was an interesting development of character to see how unknown trauma had led Anna towards a peaceful life of religion and faith whereas her aunt had lived through the horrors and found no such similarities in mentality.
The more technical side of the film is what captured my attention though. A beautiful black and white film shot in a 4:3 aspect ratio and with Polish dialogue. The aspect ratio really made for some beautiful scenes which utilised depth and composition. I can really see what the director meant by choosing to change the route a bit and pursue a more photographic style. And that's without the film feeling pretentious in that sense. It certainly isn't a film that screams arthouse or anything similar. Most compositions in the film are fixed, the camera just still and observing the characters within the space. Either changing up the focal lengths and angles to get closer or choosing to give us a more distant perspective. It is very, very beautiful, and any person that is a fan of photography will easily take a liking to it. Though this is definitely not a film for everyone.