The Hunters

All (relatively) closed circles like distant villages, churches, schools have something to hide, but if guns and/or money is involved (often boosted by greed and booze), then felonies are eager to happen. And if there is a need to cover up a small one, then bigger ones are likely to happen - particularly if there is someone near by to hide it from...

Such is the framework of events in Jägarna - after a police officer from Stockholm moves back to his small hometown in Norrland in northern Sweden and begins to deal with a long-running case of illegal hunting. When someone outside starts digging, consequences can be fatal... And by the end of the day, there is no winner at all. Such hints progress throughout the film, and its ending is a proof of that. It seems that the protagonist Erik (credibly played by Rolf Lassgård) had no idea where his actions would lead him to. As for the rest of the cast, all are good as well, although I shrug my shoulders when I read that Lennart Jähkel received Guldbagge Award and Lassgård did not; by the way, Lassgård-Stormare confrontation in Jägarna 2 was more convincing to me.

Jägarna is a decent film, where the interaction of good directing, acting and stunning Nordic nature provide a valuable experience. However, most women and some men would probably dislike its naturalism and harsh depiction of deer hunting.