Examining the allure of wind sounds, their contrasting calming yet ominous nature serves as a thematic backdrop to the film "Family Portrait". The sound of wind expertly contributes to the escalating suspense that characterizes this distinctively crafted film, which straddles the divide between dreamlike fantasy and stark realism. Set in the pre-pandemic era, the movie echoes a sense of impending dread familiar to many, capturing moments that could suggest an approaching disaster or reminiscences of a past catastrophe.
The film doesn’t fit neatly into the mold of a typical family drama with strained relationships and adversities. It paints a different picture, a seemingly contented group of individuals like many families in the onset of 2020.
The opening scene intelligently designed by filmmaker Kerr is a stellar cinematic masterstroke. Set against a backdrop of silence, audiences witness a scene of seemingly affluent individuals in a field, reminiscent of a family gathering. The dynamic and fluid cinematography reflects the fluctuating focus of the event from different perspectives, encapsulating the essence of the event and setting the tone for the rest of the film.
The plot primarily unfolds within a vast family estate where relatives congregate for an annual tradition of a family photograph for the season’s holiday card. The main character, Katy, accompanied by her Polish boyfriend Olek, appears to be at the center of unfolding tension. Stress arises from Olek's exclusion from the photograph and the lack of urgency displayed by the family causing potential conflict with Katy's travel plans.
However, the sudden inexplicable disappearance of the family's matriarch adds another layer of mystery. An intriguing sequence unfolds with Katy exploring the grounds, leading to an arresting montage that brings out a vivid sense of disorientation and confusion, infusing an aura highly reminiscent of the year 2020. Despite its brief run time of 74 minutes, "Family Portrait" occasionally feels like it could have been condensed into a potent short film. Nonetheless, the filmmaker's command over the tone and atmosphere of the film makes it an unforgettable viewing experience, encapsulating the selective recollections of family gatherings with uncanny accuracy born of realism and dreamlike nostalgia.
