Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead

Year: 2023

Runtime: 165 mins

Language: English

Director: Simon McBurney

Drama

Adapted from Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk’s acclaimed novel, this theatrical work is conceived and directed by Simon McBurney. The story, originally a controversial and genre-bending novel, blends elements of thriller, comedy, and a powerful poetic statement advocating for animal and environmental rights. Its publication caused significant discussion in Poland.

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Timeline & Setting – Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead (2023)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead (2023). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary

The events occur in modern times, with present-day police, a new Catholic chapel, and local clubs reflecting current social dynamics. Daily life intersects with ecological debates and legal investigations, anchoring the mystery in a recognizable, real-world era. The calendar is casual, with seasonal rituals and village routines shaping the pace of the story.

Location

Silesia region, Poland; rural village near the Czech border between Lewin and Kłodzko

The story unfolds in a quiet rural village in Poland’s Silesian region near the Czech border. The landscape is defined by fields, forests and small houses, with a culture rooted in hunting and local superstition. This setting creates a tense backdrop for clashes between traditional ways and concerns about animal welfare.

🏞️ rural setting 🇵🇱 Poland 🗺️ border region

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 09:48

Main Characters – Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead (2023)

Meet the key characters of Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead (2023), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Janina Duszejko (Kathryn Hunter)

An aging former teacher who now tends neighbors’ summer houses, Janina spends her days studying astrology and translating Blake into Polish. She abhors animal suffering and treats animals as morally significant beings, challenging her village’s hunting culture. Her fierce commitment to justice for all living beings drives much of the plot and sparks controversy.

🐾 animal-rights 🧠 intellect

Oddball (César Saratxu)

A practical, outspoken neighbor who brings news of the local deaths and alternates between support for Janina and skepticism of her theories. He moves through village life with a wry humor and a wary eye toward the consequences of the killings. His presence helps anchor the story’s social dynamics.

🗺️ neighbor 🤝 ally

Dizzy (Alexander Uzoka)

A close friend who translates poetry and serves as a steady, rational companion for Janina. He supports her but remains wary of letting superstition drive actions in a dangerous, rumor-filled village. The pair share intellectual companionship and emotional closeness, even as danger closes in.

🗣️ translator 🎨 artist

Borys

A hiker and entomologist studying endangered beetles who arrives seeking government protection for species. He becomes a romantic interest for Janina and widens the ecological scope of the story. His presence introduces scientific perspective and a compassionate counterpoint to the village’s violence.

🪲 beetle-ecology 🧭 outsider

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 09:48

Major Themes – Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead (2023)

Explore the central themes of Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead (2023), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🐾 Nature Ethics

Janina’s reverence for animals puts non-human life at the center of moral consideration. The narrative tests whether animals can enact or deserve retribution in a human world saturated with violence. The clash between hunting culture and animal-rights sentiment drives the central moral questions.

🔎 Investigation

A string of deaths triggers a police inquiry that dismisses Janina’s theories. The discovery of a revealing photograph and shifting testimonies push characters toward ambiguous guilt and uncertainty. The boundary between belief and evidence becomes the main tension as the case unfolds.

🌿 Nature & Society

The forest and countryside act as witnesses to the crime and as a sanctuary for Janina’s philosophy. The story probes how ecological concerns collide with hunting traditions and community loyalties. It questions whether nature can offer absolution or simply reflect human cruelty.

⚖️ Retribution

Janina’s path toward vengeance raises questions about moral balance and justice. The narrative blurs the line between protecting animals and harming people, forcing characters to confront who truly bears responsibility for violence. The ending reframes justice as something that may come at a personal moral cost.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 09:48

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Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead Summary

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Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead Summary

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead Timeline

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Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead Timeline

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead Spoiler-Free Summary

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Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead

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