A hand glides through a golden autumn field. A man inhales the scent of an ear of corn. In the opening scenes of Athina Rachel Tsangari’s Harvest, the connection between people and nature is portrayed with a vivid, tactile intimacy. But over the course of the film this intense harmony will change, leaving behind only destruction and violence. This adaptation of the Booker Prize nominee by British writer Jim Crace is Tsangari's return to feature format. The complex narrative about a rural community on the cusp of economic upheaval is set in an undefined historical context and focuses on the dynamics of farmers and the prevailing patriarchal structures. The lord of the estate, Master Kent (Harry Melling), is trying to carry on the traditions of his late wife, who advocated for a fair use of the land. But the situation escalates when another relative claims the land and tries to make more profit from the villagers' work. Greek director Athina Rachel Tsangari turns Harvest into a witty but bitter commentary on class conflicts and the relentless pursuit of personal gain in a time of economic change. The result is a haunting, atmospheric work that celebrated its world premiere this year in competition at the Venice Film Festival.