Adapted from her own play of the same name, The North Wind is a richly gothic fairytale from cinematic polymath Renata Litvinova, informed by Russian folklore as well as by the country’s pioneering female auteurs, like Kira Muratova and Larisa Shepitko. Set over the course of several lavish New Year banquets, the film traces the fortunes of a mythical matriarchal clan led by the redoubtable Margarita (Litvinova) as they contend with love, loss, and the pains of womanhood. With a suitably bombastic score by Russian rock icon Zemfira, opulent production design, and full-bodied performances, this is a true festive treat for the senses.