The film begins with the breathing sounds of a boy running through the mountains. The boy ducks into a hut and attacks the child who finds him. Izabele brings home Ilja from the orphanage to make a brother for her son Gailius, but unable to adapt to his new environment, Ilja shows aggression. Like the fox in the film, Ilja hovers around people, but displays a wild nature instead of blending in. While Izabele keeps herself busy with Ilja, her husband Liudas gradually drifts away. Izabele blames this on Ilja whom she eventually sends back to the orphanage and breaks up with her husband. Overwhelmed with sadness regarding Gailius’s death and her inability to take care of Ilja, Izabele is emotionally drowned and locked up herself in deep darkness. An adaptation of a Slovenian novel, this film offers a superb presentation of a lyrical sensibility and outstanding performances by the actors. The cold eyes and expressionless face of the young actor who plays Ilja will linger even after the film has ended. (Erica Nam)