Cinema in the Old Theater “Time of the Raven”

A modern man, a father, plagued by pain and anger at the loss of his beloved wife, must learn anew how to live for his children and himself. In “The Time of the Raven,” Benedict Cumberbatch created one of the most personal and daring roles of his career.

Prominent British actor Benedict Cumberbatch (TV series “Sherlock”, “Doctor Strange”) plays the role of a man whose world falls apart after the sudden death of his wife - the mother of two young boys. The protagonist tries to maintain the appearance of normality, but the smell of burnt toast and unbridled despair wafts through the house. Just then, through the cracks of everyday life, a huge black crow creeps into his life — the only guide on this pain-filled journey. The raven once persecutes, once comforts, leading the family through chaos, sadness and unexpected moments of solace.

Directed by Dylan Southern — creator of iconic music videos and live performances for artists such as Oasis, Blur, Björk, Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys and LCD Soundsystem — “Time of the Raven” is a screen adaptation of Max Porter's award-winning book. With extraordinary visual finesse, the film portrays the experience of loss as a transformation — also bodily — that Cumberbatch captures in every gesture and movement. Southern sensitively portrays the inner transformation of the protagonist and the gap between his emotions and the necessity of daily functioning. The characters' experiences are accompanied by songs such as The Cure, Meredith Monk and Screamin' Jay Hawkins.

“The Time of the Raven” is a surprising, original story about how to find hope in the darkest moments. Benedict Cumberbatch, in one of his most personal projects, of which he is also a producer, bravely faces the theme of male crisis and maturation into the role of a parent - just as the movie “C'mon C'mon” did a few years ago, and previously the classic “The Kramer Affair”. It reminds us that the experience of loss — though painful — is an inherent part of life that shapes and transforms us.