The Ornithologist
The Ornithologist

Movie spotlight

The Ornithologist

2016
Movie
118 min
Portuguese

Stranded along a sublime river fjord in northern Portugal, an ornithologist is subjected to a series of brutal and erotic Stations-of-the-Cross-style tests.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Director: João Pedro RodriguesGenres: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery

Plot Summary

A solitary ornithologist on a bird-watching expedition in Portugal gets lost in the dense wilderness. As he ventures deeper into the unknown, he encounters a series of surreal and symbolic events that challenge his perception of reality, faith, and his own identity. His journey becomes a spiritual and physical odyssey as he confronts his inner demons and seeks a profound transformation.

Critical Reception

The Ornithologist received critical acclaim for its unique visual style, ambitious themes, and enigmatic narrative. It was praised for its artistic merit and its exploration of complex subjects like sexuality, spirituality, and the human condition. While some found its abstract nature challenging, many critics lauded it as a bold and thought-provoking piece of cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its striking visual artistry and dreamlike atmosphere.

  • Cited for its profound exploration of spiritual and personal transformation.

  • Noted for its challenging and often ambiguous narrative structure.

Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews and summaries is not readily available for this film.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Award for Best Direction at the Locarno Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film is considered a modern reimagining of the life of Saint Anthony of Padua, set within a contemporary and highly symbolic context.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

"Fernando" (Paul Hamy) is out in the Portuguese wilderness doing a bit of birdwatching when he gets caught up in the rapids, his canoe is trashed and he finds himself rescued by two rather curious Chinese women - "Fei" (Han Wen) and her gir...