Purge

The Finnish film, Purge from 2012, directed by Antti Jokinen, is an evocative blend of history and suspense, centered around two women - Zara and Aliide. With Laura Birn as the instrumental character Zara, Liisi Tandefelt as the older Aliide, and Amanda Pilke playing the younger Aliide, the film enthralls audiences with their remarkable performances that explore the depths of pain, survival, and remorse.

Purge is a historical drama set against the backdrop of the grim realities of two oppressive periods in Estonian history - the Soviet occupation and human trafficking in modern times. The plot is inspired by the best-selling novel of the same title by Sofi Oksanen. Purge is a testament to human resilience and an exploration of unspoken horrors that continue to haunt to present day.

At the heart of this narrative are its indomitable women, Aliide and Zara. Aliide, an elderly woman living alone in an isolated home, and Zara, a young woman caught in the trap of human trafficking, form the crux of the story as they grapple with their trials and traumas. Their parallel narratives lumber forward, bearing witness to their resilience as they combat the oppressive forces that threaten their existence - from political oppression to modern-day slavery.

Aliide, played at different times by Liisi Tandefelt (older) and Amanda Pilke (younger), struggles under the weight of her traumatic past during Soviet occupation. She's haunted by her history, but when modern-day terror washes up on her doorstep in the form of Zara, Aliide is forced to confront her memories. Laura Birn’s compelling performance as Zara, a victim of human trafficking, catapults this into a dramatic exploration of personal and political turmoil.

The narrative cuts back and forth in time, balancing on the edge of suspense and distress, weaving these women's experiences together as they navigate through their respective predicaments. Suspense builds as Aliide's past unfurls and Zara’s pursuers close in on their location, leading them to form an unlikely bond.

Antti Jokinen focuses on creating a palpable atmosphere and taut narrative drama in Purge. The film's aesthetics pay tribute to its grim past portraying the stark landscape of Estonia, giving it an almost forsaken feel that's reminiscent of its oppressive history. The thematic exploration of guilt, sacrifice, resilience, and survival are captured through the film's dialogues and through the powerful performances of the key cast.

Highlight of Purge is its commentary on the way women were affected and brutalized during oppressive regimes and how their plight is still replicated in different forms today. The characterization of Aliide and Zara reflects the macrocosm of female struggles under totalitarianism and human trafficking, respectively. These depictions are far from romanticized and present an unvarnished look at their challenges, singling Purge out from other films of a similar genre.

Purge manages to balance intense emotional drama with suspenseful elements effectively. It's a character-driven narrative where the performances of Birn, Tandefelt and Pilke shine through as they underpin the horrors that women had to go through in a troubled past and continue to face in the contemporary world. The film compellingly captures the blend of personal and political, making it a thought-provoking experience for the viewers. The dual timeline and the complexity of the characters give depth to the film as it explores human endurance during the worst of times.

In conclusion, Purge is a potent dramatization of two significant periods in Estonian history told through the lens of two women trapped by their circumstances. Antti Jokinen creates an emotionally charged narrative that unravels tales of survival, resilience and sacrifice. This film boasts stellar performances from Laura Birn, Liisi Tandefelt, and Amanda Pilke, making Purge a must-see for those who value in-depth character studies against an historical backdrop.