Four Times

Expect a rather strange, but visually stunning movie, but you’ll need to power through the beginning. However, as soon as you get to the second half about the goat kid, your heart will be melting, and you’ll instantly feel better. From that moment on, all the slow shots panning out to the distance will be so easy on you that you’ll watch the scene of cutting down the old protected oak (the last story) with a humility and imagine what it’s like to live in Calabria. (08/11/2017)

The pejorative definition of "festival film" fulfilled to a tee, on the other hand a learning experience for viewers who only get to see films at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival if they don’t have a card with the name of some obscure film blog on it and don't want to stand in a 250-foot line to see the new Ki-duk Kim. Clear in terms of meaning, formally it couldn't be more temperate, the goats don't stare at the camera much and only break the fourth wall once. The ants are also crawling in the right direction and the wind is blowing with accurate intensity. Seeing it again, I'll probably chew my leg off; still, I recognize that it has its place in the world and I'm glad I took a gander at it. (01/22/2015)

Visually, it is certainly a remarkable work, but you have to be properly attuned to its content, especially its slower pace. I can imagine that some people will be really excited by Four Times, but it somehow missed me, although the story of the lost goat did move me quite palpably. However, this unusual film certainly deserves an honorable place in European cinema for its insight into the life of a remote village somewhere in the mountains of Calabria, Italy. (70%) (09/10/2020)