The wilderness lies far-reaching and merciless, covered in snow and cold, but majestic and beautiful at the same time. A land in which one might get lost but a land which provides everything even for the lost ones. With his magic stick and a knowledge that reaches deep under the surface layers of things, Cernunnos is profoundly connected to this commanding landscape and is not only trained to always find his way but he also protects and watches over it.
But one day his competitor arises and this old sorcerer feels he is facing a power far much stronger than himself against which he cannot fight alone. ‘Cernunos’ is an environmental film coming from the Forsans Brothers (Paul-Alexandre & Pierre-Alain). Beyond its wonderful intertwining of its narrative line that brings forward a fictionalised story, lies a powerful allegory: Cernunnos is the force that brings balance to Earth making sure it is able to regenerate with every cycle. He constantly struggles to deliver his mission on time: consequent and tenacious. But Deesse Mere appears as his competitor to burn and destroy everything he fights for. She is voluptuous, wicked as a snake and has a glacial look that consumes everything.
Both characters are symbols: Cernunnos symbolising fertility, wealth and reborn while Deesse Mere symbolising destruction and people’s greed that fight against balance only for their own comfort and pleasure.
The Forsans Brothers have an outstanding vision on the subject, choosing instead of opting for a documentary to conceptualise the theme and to fictionalise it in a fantasy about the environmental issues we confront nowadays.
Acting is second to none in this abstract approach. We can only imagine the hardships one faces when they need to act and play a ‘symbol’; and still both actors of ‘Cernunos’ deliver this outstandingly empathic: Jonathan Ballesta triggers the right mechanisms that help him impersonate the pain and exhaustion of the old protector, while actress Aurelie Hode manages to perfectly cast the cold image of lust and cruelty by languorously but salaciously dancing with a snake.
The imagery is simply outstanding, delighting the eye of the viewer with masterfully lit scenes and beautiful framing. ‘Cernunos’ is simply one of the most beautiful environmental films we’ve witnessed.
TMFF RATING:
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