Shadows of forgotten ancestors

Set in the early 1900's in a small Carpathian village, this impressionistic film tells of the tragic love of Ivan and Marichka. After Marichka's accidental death, Ivan is persuaded to marry the sensual Palagna but remains haunted by memories of his first love. Palagna entreats the village sorcerer for aid in reclaiming Ivan from the past. The wizard's intervention, however, leads to the final downfall of the protagonist. Described as one of the most unorthodox, colorful, formalistic, religious-superstitious and sensual erotic films, it reveals the influences of the experimental film movement, cinema-verité, the New Wave and Japanese cinema. (Does not circulate)