I tried to watch it

You're not alone, so many people found it pretentious.

I think it's a shame you didn't get past the opening scene. I found that as soon as you accept the stage setting as you would in a theatre production, it becomes less noticeable and you concentrate on the story and performances. Which are brutal.

For me it's a unique masterpiece.

It’s deliberate and relevant. There are moments where terrible things occur indoors while the townsfolk go about their business, the lack of walls plays into the theme of penetrating facades to see the true nature of things.

Hopefully you’ve matured in the last 3 years and are ready to revisit the film.