Hatching: A Magical Realist Coming-of-age Tale
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05/07/2022 |
The above quote from William Burroughs adequately illustrates the process twelve year old Tinja, the protagonist of Hatching, undergoes through the course of the film. As a gymnast preparing for her first competition we observe her body stretching in ways that seem to defy human capabilities. This is evident in the opening scene of the film where we watch Tinja’s body slowly rising in close-up: the bones on her spine almost monstrously pronounced, with her face off screen she is reminiscent of a Lovecraftian creature, not the sweet, servile girl her mother desires. The quote above seems fitting as a visceral metaphor for the horror of teenage girls’ transition into womanhood as her body morphs into something different with voracious speed, lashed by heteronormative priapic dogmas from every direction.
Hatching captures the horror of this female metamorphosis perfectly through the story of Tinja who lives in Finland with her Mother (Siiri Solalinna), a vlogger who documents the “Lovely Everyday Life” of her family: Father (Jani Volanen) and Tinja’s younger brother Matias (Oiva Ollila). The household is entirely dominated by Mother who attempts to live her life as if it was an Instagram post and treats her family as a mere part of this carefully crafted aesthetic. This glossy, pastel dream is drastically disturbed by a black bird (is it a crow?) that breaks into the family house, smashing vases, glasses and a crystal chandelier until Mother breaks its neck in front of terrified Tinja. This is a pivotal moment in the film as the girl is confronted with a side of her mother which does not embody the simplicity and joyfulness presented on the Internet. Instead it is monstrous, deathly, drastically different, and real. This monstrosity is also, however, enticing, promising rebellion and a twisted sense of empowerment, driving Tinja to save and protect the egg the bird laid. The creature hatching out of it becomes everything the Mother fears: gruesomeness, darkness, dirt, uncontrollable bodily fluids. What is more, the creature tights inextricable bond with Tinja; bond that sparks a process of becoming between them as they simultaneously exchanging their natures until they can’t be distinguished.
Hatching captures the horror of this female metamorphosis perfectly through the story of Tinja who lives in Finland with her Mother (Siiri Solalinna), a vlogger who documents the “Lovely Everyday Life” of her family: Father (Jani Volanen) and Tinja’s younger brother Matias (Oiva Ollila). The household is entirely dominated by Mother who attempts to live her life as if it was an Instagram post and treats her family as a mere part of this carefully crafted aesthetic. This glossy, pastel dream is drastically disturbed by a black bird (is it a crow?) that breaks into the family house, smashing vases, glasses and a crystal chandelier until Mother breaks its neck in front of terrified Tinja. This is a pivotal moment in the film as the girl is confronted with a side of her mother which does not embody the simplicity and joyfulness presented on the Internet. Instead it is monstrous, deathly, drastically different, and real. This monstrosity is also, however, enticing, promising rebellion and a twisted sense of empowerment, driving Tinja to save and protect the egg the bird laid. The creature hatching out of it becomes everything the Mother fears: gruesomeness, darkness, dirt, uncontrollable bodily fluids. What is more, the creature tights inextricable bond with Tinja; bond that sparks a process of becoming between them as they simultaneously exchanging their natures until they can’t be distinguished.
Hatching chooses very material practical effects instead of CG in order to bring the creature to life. To realise her vision, Hanna Berholm reached out to Gustav Hoegen, who worked on each recent Star Wars film, Ex Machina. In Hatching, he has created one of the most uncanny, disturbing monsters seen in film, similar to Guillermo del Toro’s aesthetics. Alli, the hatched creature, becomes a vessel for Tinja to release emotions that her Mother denies: sadness, anger, fear. Through and with Alli, Tinja embraces the most deeply hidden aspect of her being and in monstrosity she finds creation and novelty, despite the price she will pay for it.
Hatching presents us with a visceral coming-of-age tale, weaving aspects of magical realism into family drama and horror, giving us something fresh, unique and touching. Although the pacing feels unnecessarily extended, the film manages to successfully balance the grotesque with horror, making it interesting and thought-provoking viewing.
Hatching presents us with a visceral coming-of-age tale, weaving aspects of magical realism into family drama and horror, giving us something fresh, unique and touching. Although the pacing feels unnecessarily extended, the film manages to successfully balance the grotesque with horror, making it interesting and thought-provoking viewing.