Time Of The Wolf

 

Le Temps du Loup

Time of the Wolf is a post-apocalyptic French film from 2003.  It's not your typical post-apocalyptic film, nonetheless it still might scare the shit out of you. It is somewhat similar to Cormac McCarthy's The Road. Its about people's primal instinct to survive and take care of those they love. It's also about people at their worst and how durring times of crisis the instinct to survive will sometimes overshadow basic human compassion.

The opening scene is of a family, mom, dad, son, and daughter, driving up to a log cabin in the woods. At first it seems that they may just be going away for a holiday weekend. But quickly things change and you are thrown into their world and its hard to believe what just happened. I don't want to give anything away, but be aware that you may be shocked with this film right off the bat. 

The title of the film is derived from an Old Norse tale about creation called Völuspá. 

Brothers shall fight | and fell each other,
And sisters' sons | shall kinship stain;
Hard is it on earth, | with mighty whoredom;
Axe-time, sword-time, | shields are sundered,
Wind-time, wolf-time, | ere the world falls;
Nor ever shall men | each other spare.

This move keeps you suspenseful through out the whole movie. The scenes draw you in and it's hard to look away or even move in your seat. Its like watching someone jump a line of cars on a dirt bike. While their in the air you're just holding your breath unaware of what is to come. Ok, I may be talking up this movie to much, its not an action filled thriller. Its slow and full of landscape sweeping views, drawn out scenes, great dialog, and amazing cinematography. Even though its slow it is still very suspenseful. A lot of the suspense is created by the action that's taking place is just out of camera view. You are reacting to the reaction of the character who is reacting to that action. Which is basically the plot of the movie. You are watching the action of the characters reacting to an event that is unseen but vividly realized through their actions. You never know what caused devastation and contamination of their now post-apocalyptic world. Through watching their actions and reactions you gain the knowledge of what they now have to deal with. I highly recommend this film.

Here is a clip from the film that I found on youtube. It gives a small glimpse to what is going on.