Short film director Govinda Van Maele encounters pacing issues with his feature-length debut Gutland.

Fly-by-night traveller Jens (Frederick Lau) wanders into a welcoming small town.  He doesn’t have time to figure out how to fit in since his sudden appearance is instantly acknowledged by Lucy, a seductive local (Vicky Krieps).  After their overnight “meet-and-greet”, the community just as quickly opens up to Jens.  The drifter finds the entire experience jarring, and he only grows more cautious as the acceptance morphs into dangerous deception.

Gutland is a very long fall down a mysterious (and bottomless) rabbit hole, occasionally using sex and violence as tactics to keep the viewer stimulated.  Those interested in slow-burning stories may be aroused by the suspicion in the uncomfortable atmosphere, but Gutland repetitively teases its audience for too long;  smothering potential for provocative intrigue.

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Gutland screens at TIFF on: 

Friday, September 8 at 4:00 p.m. @ Scotiabank Theatre (press and industry)
Sunday, September 10 at 6:45 p.m. @ Scotiabank Theatre
Tuesday, September 12 at 9:00 a.m. @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Wednesday, September 13 at 12:00 p.m. @ Scotiabank Theatre (press and industry)
Saturday, September 16 at 6:00 p.m. @ Scotiabank Theatre

Rating: 14A
Language: Luxembourgish, German
Runtime: 107 minutes

For more information on the festival, visit the official TIFF webpage here.

Buy tickets here.

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