The Ornithologist 2017

Fernando embarks on a serene camping trip along a riverbank in Portugal, immersing himself in birdwatching from his yellow kayak. However, his keen focus on observing the avian life leads to an unexpected mishap when his kayak is swept into treacherous rapids, resulting in a dramatic capsize.

Meanwhile, two Chinese women, Fei and Lin, are trekking through the nearby woods. They stumble upon Fernando’s unconscious body, prompting one of them to act despite her fear. With determination, the women manage to resuscitate him. Although they cannot communicate in Portuguese, they find common ground through English. Fernando explains that they are lost and have strayed far from their original path. The women express their apprehensions about the forest’s spirits, which Fernando dismisses, putting them at odds. Their solution is to bind him with ropes to a tree as a precaution, ignoring his desperate pleas for assistance. In the dead of night, he manages to free himself, only to find refuge high on a cliff where his phone remains useless.

As the surreal night unfolds, it is marked by a full moon and tribal men performing a ritual dance around a fire, culminating in the sacrifice of a boar. In this unusual setting, Fernando encounters Jesus, a deaf and mute goat herder. Initial distrust permeates their interaction, yet they gradually bond after Fernando takes a plunge into the water alongside Jesus. Sharing food and reveling in the warmth of the sun, Fernando introduces Jesus to the workings of his binoculars, leading their friendship to escalate into a romantic encounter. However, tension arises when Fernando notices Jesus wearing his sweatshirt, which incites jealousy, culminating in a violent struggle where Fernando fatally stabs Jesus.

Continuing his journey, Fernando discovers sustenance in an apple tree and bird eggs, eventually stumbling upon an abandoned mission abbey adorned with statues of saints and angels. He engages in a peculiar dialogue with Koi fish in a pond, pondering their survival and sustenance. Suddenly, the sound of a horn beckons him, and three topless women on horseback enter the scene, hunting alongside their dogs. One of the women, after successfully shooting an elk, checks on Fernando, who appears in distress. Despite their offer of companionship and food, he insists that he is fine, prompting them to ride away.

Fernando’s experiences grow increasingly surreal as he encounters a white dove observing him. In a bizarre twist, he discovers a lifeless body and surprisingly, breathes life back into it. The man, once known as Anthony, reveals he died while dancing with friends. Their conversation leads to existential questions about life and death, with Anthony asserting that Fernando is not truly dead. They discuss the significance of belief and the nature of existence, eventually implicating Fernando in the death of Jesus. Thomas, a figure from Anthony’s past, strikes a decisive blow, slicing Fernando’s neck.

As the scene shifts, a truck horn signals the proximity of the city, and we see the town sign for Padua. In a moment of eerie connection, Jesus and Anthony are seen strolling into town, while across the street, the two Chinese women wave enthusiastically, sending cheerful greetings towards them.