Landscape in the Mist

Theo Angelopoulos is arguably Greece's greatest filmmaker, and this 1988 drama is perhaps his finest achievement: a grim yet compelling tale of two young siblings who run away from home in search of their long-missing father, who is supposedly living in Germany. Their journey is full of harrowing adventures, including a terrifying ride as stowaways aboard a train, apprehension by child safety authorities, rejection by an uncle who could've brought them to safe haven, and molestation by a hideous truck driver who picks them up along the road. But the pair also encounter a genuine friend in a sensitive young motorcyclist enjoying his last days of freedom before reporting for compulsory military service. Disturbing but never cynical, Landscape in the Mist boasts astonishing views (most memorably when a mechanical crane extracts a giant sculpted hand from the depths of the ocean), and an elegant score by Eleni Karaindrou. The film's pacing may be somewhat slower than most American viewers are accustomed to, but patience will be rewarded by the powerful, haunting, and resonant conclusion. Although presented with a so-so transfer on an extra-less disc, this film is still highly recommended. (P. Hall)