The Golem

The Golem, a horror-based period drama released in 2018, stars Hani Furstenberg, Ishai Golan, and Kirill Cernyakov. The film is a thrilling retelling of the old Jewish folklore of "The Golem," an anthropomorphic being magically created entirely from inanimate matter. Directed by Doron Paz and Yoav Paz and set in Vilna (a forest village in Lithuania) during 17th-century's plague times, the movie weaves an intense narrative of faith, fear, love, and revenge interspersed with supernatural elements.

Hani Furstenberg portrays Hanna, the film's main protagonist who is married to Benjamin (played by Ishai Golan). They live in a small Lithuanian shtetl that follows a strict and devout Jewish faith. The couple endures their own tragedy - the loss of a child - which intensifies Hanna’s desperation to protect her community when it is threatened by the plague.

Frustrated by the heavy patriarchal constraints of her village and her bold curiosity about the Kabbalah (cabbala), an esoteric method, discipline, and school of thought in Jewish mysticism, Hanna takes it upon herself to create a supernatural being known as 'Golem' and hence gets acquainted with folklore and ancient scripts. Golan's Benjamin, on the other hand, grapples between his faith as a leader and saving his village from unfolding perils, painting an emotional tragedy of his own.

Kirill Cernyakov, portraying the Golem, gives a daunting yet heartfelt performance. In Jewish folklore, a Golem is a mud-made figure brought to life to protect and serve the community from harm. However, the Golem in this case evolves from a protective guardian to an increasingly dangerous entity, a figure simultaneously embodying destruction and protection.

The narrative progression of the movie grapples the evolution of Golem and the intricate dynamics in the small village. As the story unfolds, we see the intersection of fear, faith, undercurrents of gendered power dynamics, and the experience of loss. Delving into the exploration of myths and supernatural elements, what distinguishes this movie is how it emotionally weaves elements of tragedy, horror, and suspense, adding complexity to each character and driving the narrative towards its climactic conclusion.

The film does not shy away from dealing with deeply rooted societal structures and the consequences of meddling with dark forces, all while steeped deep in the turmoil of a terrorized community in the 17th-century. With a unique blend of horror, periodic drama, and unfurling emotional narratives, the story attempts to create a complex interplay of power dynamics, religion, superstition, and the boundary of control when dealing with supernatural forces.

The film does an exceptional job of creating a 17th-century milieu with impressive production design and a hauntingly grim atmosphere that feels both grounded and other-worldly at the same time. The cinematography adds an additional layer of chilling suspense to the narrative. Each frame captures the stifling rigidity of the small Jewish community, the brooding forest surrounding it, and the daunting presence of the titular monster.

Hani Furstenberg does a commendable job as Hanna, establishing a captivating presence on-screen. She portrays a woman of strength who doesn’t buckle under societal pressure and norms, yet is haunted by her past and the gradually uncontrollable supernatural entity. Ishai Golan equally stands out in his portrayal of the community leader, grappling with faith, fear, duty, and loss.

In conclusion, The Golem is a tragic tale of faith, love, and fear. It unravels powerfully as a period horror movie that successfully intertwines folklore, religion, and societal dynamics with emotional distress and horror elements. This movie isn't your traditional horror as it derives its terror aspect more from the rich layers of personal and collective hell the characters find themselves in, rather than relying heavily on jump scares and gory scenes. It is an immersive and complicated narrative woven around the horror of its time and within the hearts of the people. The film beautifully captures the essence of folklore and its modern interpretation with a hint of eeriness and emotional turmoil, making it a memorable creation in the realms of horror-period films.