The Call of the Owl

Ingmar Bergman was once asked by a reporter if he could ever do a Western, and Bergman just laughed. He never did. However, as a fan of both Westerns and Bergman, I was very intrigued to imagine how would an Ingmar Berman-Western would be like, and so I decided to write my own version, taking some of the most common elements from Bergman's filmography. The result was this short, twisted piece.

If you're familiar with Bergman works, I think you'll get the references, from comparing our evil protagonist Erik to the legendary Max Von Sydow, to call our hero "Harriet" after the great Harriet Andersson, and include someone named "Anna", which was the name of many characters in Bergman's films. Subjects such as cruelty, existentialism, perversion, and even incest, all oftenly used by Bergman, are also present.

As for what the owl represents, I leave that to you to decide. Is it justice? Punishment? Destiny? Something else? Your reading experience will say ;)

A FEW REVIEWS...

"Jerzy P. Suchocki’s "The Call of the Owl" is a dark, atmospheric journey that delves into themes of trauma, family, and inner darkness, set against an unforgiving wilderness. The script establishes a haunting tone right from the opening—a lone, weary rider confronted by a seemingly ominous owl, symbolizing Erik Gustaffson’s haunted past and foreshadowing the tragic events that follow.

Erik, a complex antihero, is a figure of stark contrasts: a murderer who, paradoxically, becomes a father figure to two girls, one of whom he violently abducts as an infant. His relationship with these young women, Anna and Harriet, is one of control and isolation, imbuing the household with tension as he enforces strict moral codes. The sisters, particularly Anna, embody innocence conflicted by an emerging forbidden desire that builds to a catastrophic culmination.

The screenplay’s unsettling moments are punctuated by visual and auditory cues that add depth to the dark themes. The hoot of the owl and the silent, suffocating atmosphere of Erik’s house enhance the tension, underscoring the psychological horror elements that permeate the narrative. Suchocki’s use of pacing is effective, with each scene contributing to a slow burn of suspense and inevitable tragedy.

However, while the dark themes and disturbing plot twists are impactful, they may not resonate with all audiences. Some viewers might find the grim elements, such as the implication of incestuous desire and patricide, to be overly intense or unsettling. Moreover, Erik’s character, while fascinatingly layered, leaves little room for empathy, making it challenging for audiences to find emotional grounding in the story’s conclusion.

In summary, "The Call of the Owl" is a well-crafted, harrowing tale that balances Western elements with psychological horror. It captivates with its brooding atmosphere and complex characters, though its dark subject matter will demand a strong stomach from its audience." - Wallachia International Film Festival