Jennie Kermode sings Foreign Tongue
Sarajevo-born director Boris Mojsovski is back with his third feature, Foreign Tongue, a cinematic journey that delves deep into the intricate landscape of perception and self-identity. The film opens with a profound exploration of truth, introducing a quote often attributed to Carl Jung: “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”
However, as many viewers delve into Jung’s vast body of work, this particular sentiment can feel less like Jung and more like a popularized conflation—a mix of comments made to Goethe and lines drawn from the works of Joseph Campbell. Mojsovski uses this cinematic space to explore the subtle, often unsettling, relationship between outward appearance and inner reality.
The core of Foreign Tongue examines the social consequences of the human desire to conform. It investigates the ease with which we project our personal assumptions onto the people we admire, blurring the lines between genuine selfhood and constructed identity.
The narrative takes a fascinating turn through the relationship between Carl Jung (portrayed by Greg Bryk, an inspired casting choice) and Kathy (Kimberly-Sue Murray). Their interaction unfolds in the ethereal space of dreams, where Jung, who insists he is imaginary, finds himself sought after by Kathy, who continues to seek his counsel.
This dreamlike dynamic serves as a powerful metaphor for the search for authentic selfhood amidst societal expectations. It highlights the tension between the inner, imaginary life and the tangible reality we navigate daily.
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