yelena-ny10 Reviews

Priklyucheniya soldata Ivana Chonkina (2007 TV Movie)

The film unveils the absurdity and harsh realities of Soviet society

[8/10 · 12 April 2024]

I would say that the "kind, funny story about charming village people and ridiculous situation..." - it's not exactly an accurate description of this film. It's based on the novel by Vladimir Voinovich, which is a razor-sharp satire on the Soviet society, and it's written during years when mocking the Soviet regime wasn't encouraged at all. For this novel Vladimir Voinovich paid with ostracism and eventual exile. Some knowledge about the historical context of the Stalin's period in the Soviet Union is required to understand the harsh realities standing behind the comic scenes, and to appreciate the cruel humor of situations and qualities of main characters.

Three Sisters (1970)

The best "Three sisters" I've ever seen

[9/10 · 7 September 2021]

Having a Russian background, I saw many productions of one of the most famous Chekhov's plays. I'd say the Olivier's "Three sisters" is the best of all I've ever seen. Even if there are some inaccuracies in details related to the Russian 19th century realities, the Olivier's n-depth understanding of the complicated Chekhov's work is amazing.