Strawberry Girl

At three minutes, this experimental documentary short has time to do only one thing, but it succeeds. As a dancer gyres in a wood, cavorts upon a hypnotic field of printed strawberries, we are told the story of a Polish girl, working on a farm in Finland. The various injustices of that role are outlined as we watch the dance.

Said dancer, also choreographer, is Linda Priha, and her movements have a staccato hither and thither to them, drawing the eye in circles and swooping over those almost Warholian strawberries. Natalya Nikolaeva narrates, telling us of cancelled baskets, rigged inspections and conditions little short of slavery. She hints at the conditions and lack of opportunities that lead people to such work.

Written, directed, and a few other things too by Arja Pettersson, this is a fascinating little film, expressionistic, hypnotic, a pick of the bunch.