Change Your Image
garcianyssa
Reviews
Vozvrashchenie (2003)
Dark and Haunting
This film tells the story of an absentee father who returns home to his two sons, Andrei and Ivan. The three of them go on a road trip and along the way their father attempts to make up for the last twelve years, but is unsuccessful. As their trip continues Andrei and Ivan also grow further apart as Andrei idolizes their father while Ivan distrusts him. When they reach their final destination tensions rise and, inadvertently, Ivan causes his father to fall to his death. Andrei and Ivan are then left to deal with their father's body.
This film is an interesting take on a coming of age story as it deals with some of the same themes featured in this genre, like relationships with parents and rebellion, however the film addresses these themes in a much darker way. The struggle that Ivan has with accepting his father as an authority figure in his life and the subsequent change in his relationship with Andrei is the main conflict in the film. From this conflict we see how Ivan changes because of it and comes back to the same situation that we found him in at the beginning of the film. The brothers' relationship with their father also has a significant impact on them. Andrei wants a relationship with their father and obeys his orders while Ivan rejects their father in every way that he can. Only at the end of the film is Ivan able to accept the presence of his father when he shouts and runs into the water as his father's body sinks with the boat that it is on.
Vor (1997)
Beautiful and Heart Breaking
The Thief is a film about Katia and her son Sanya who meet Tolyan, a soldier, on a train. While on the train Katia decides to stay with Tolyan, and together they move from town to town as Tolyan burglarizes the people they stay with. Along the way Katia and Sanya learn more about his thievery, and about themselves. At the end of the film Sanya is left alone after his mother dies and Tolyan is sent to prison until Sanya runs into him years later, and then kills him because he felt betrayed. The film then flashes forward to Sanya when he is years older and has become a soldier himself.
The Thief is a very compelling film with sympathetic characters and a thought-provoking story. The whole premise of the film is heart breaking when you consider Sanya's situation throughout the film. For Sanya, Tolyan is the closest he'll get to having a father and their relationship throughout the film is tumultuous at best. Tolyan is often times callous with Sanya although Sanya seems to idolize him for most of his childhood and his idealization of Tolyan can be compared to people's belief in the Soviet Union, which was then shattered when it broke apart. This feeling seems to be mirrored in Sanya's relationship with Tolyan at the end of the film. When Sanya sees Tolyan again he has changed, but is still conning people and he seems to not remember Katia at all. This hurts Sanya and he feels betrayed by this person who he had idolized so much, and he seems to be lost after killing Tolyan. This is similar to what many were feeling after the Soviet Union collapsed, this film does a great job in portraying this even if this was not Chukhrai's intention.
Taksi-blyuz (1990)
Insightful and Interesting
Taxi Blues tells of the antagonistic relationship between Shlykov and Lyosha, which begins when Lyosha fails to pay Shlykov the fare for his taxi ride. However, as the film continues they become friends of a sort. This changes when Lyosha finds fame with a famous American saxophone player and goes off to tour with him. When Lyosha comes back with no acknowledgment to Shlykov who has helped him, Shlykov is obviously hurt. The film ends with a car chase and subsequent crash and then gives an update on each of the main characters.
This film was very interesting and bittersweet. There are many moments throughout the film where you can see the potential for a better friendship between Lyosha and Shlykov, but there is always something that happens which prevents this. The differences between Shlykov and Lyosha are immediately noticeable, as Shlykov is shown to be more a patriotic, stoic person while Lyosha is an alcoholic musician. These differences between them seem to illustrate the state people found themselves in during these uncertain times. Many people were disillusioned and uncertain of their political identity and you can definitely see this in Shlykov who struggles with Lyosha because he is a musician and more open to the West. The film also did an excellent job of showing Russian daily life during this time with the many scenes in Shlykov's apartment with the old man as his roommate. Taxi Blues is an insightful look into the mindset of many Russians during this time of political uncertainty, but is also entertaining in it delivery of that message.
Vokzal dlya dvoikh (1983)
Not a Film to Forget
Train Station for Two tells the story of two people, Planton and Vera, who meet at a train station and through hilarious mishaps start to fall in love with each other. These mishaps only serve to stress Planton even more, but he finds happiness in the situation with Vera. However, they are unfortunately reminded of their depressing situation at every turn and cannot afford to forget their reality – Planton's impending trial for a crime he did not commit and a subsequent stay in jail, and Vera with her low-paying job, struggling to make ends meet and raise a child after her divorce. This is a very unique film in that it is comedic, yet bittersweet. Although they come from opposing backgrounds Planton and Vera are able to form a solid relationship that doesn't feel contrived and by the end of the film there is still some hope to be found for them. This film also shows integral parts of Soviet life wonderfully with Andrei's profiteering from melons to shoes and the inequality experienced by many people. The role of the train station in this film is pivotal and in the final scenes when Planton and Vera are desperately trying to get back on time it feels like they have finally been freed from the monotony of the train station. The ending scene was very impactful because it was able to condense all of the feeling of the film into this one scene where we have a bittersweet moment when Vera visits Planton, which then turns into a comedic moment as they race to make it back to the prison on time. Train Station for Two is a excellent film that manages to not be cliché for its genre.
Sluzhebnyy roman (1977)
A Very Charming Movie
Office Romance is a film in two parts about the relationship between Ludmila Kalugina, the director of a statistical bureau, and her employee, Anatoly Novoseltsev. The film starts off with Anatoly who is trying to get a promotion and a raise for his children. After some advice from an old friend, and newly appointed co-director Yuri Samokhvalov, Anatoly attempts to flirt with Ludmila leading to some hilarious antics. Although this film was relatively long it did not seem to drag on and kept the viewer interested by focusing on the relationship between the characters and their development as well. The office, which is the main stage of action, is not only a setting, but also a place of observation. Throughout many of the scenes we are shown the office life and this helps the viewer get an idea of how people lived during this era. Office Romance also does a good job of interweaving multiple subplots throughout the film like the story of Yuri and Olga. The montage scenes interspersed throughout the film helped to convey the passage of time, but also helped to establish the mood of the following scenes. For example, the montage scene, which shows the rainy weather and a melancholy song, helps set the somber tone of the next scene involving Yuri and Olga, and his rejection of her love letters.
Although it is classified as a romantic comedy, it surpasses that genre and through genuine characters and touching scenes this film is able to delve into deeper, more meaningful themes that are not often addressed in romantic comedies.
Ya shagayu po Moskve (1964)
Charming and Hopeful
Walking Around Moscow is a charming film and it is easy to see why it is one of the most beloved Russian comedies. It follows Kolya, Volodya, and Sasha on their adventures around Moscow. This film focuses on the youth of Moscow and the city itself to tell this story. It is a lighthearted view of the city at the time and although the war is mentioned it does not seem to be a focus. Much of this movie consists of sweeping shots of the city as Kolya and Volodya roam around Moscow. As Kolya and Volodya make their way around Moscow they also interact with a number of people in many different, and oftentimes humorous, situations. Through these scenes we are able to see Moscow through the eyes of the youth and the preparation for Sasha's wedding further captures the theme of a new future. From this perspective a sense of hope for the future is garnered and the positivity of this film is established. The themes of hope and a return to a happier time are intrinsic to the aspirations of the thaw and the hope that many people had for more openness and freedom within the Soviet Union. Although it has a simple romantic plot, the film has a significant message and delivers it beautifully. Shots of the bustling, active city of Moscow and a thriving urban center help cement the idea that Moscow and the Soviet Union is regaining its previous prestige. This film is a lively depiction of Moscow and leaves you feeling happier and satisfied with its ending.
Sorok pervyy (1956)
Surprising and Impactful
Taking place during the Russian Revolution this movie focuses on a female sniper, Maria Filatovna, who is fighting for the Red Army and Vadim Govorkha, who is fighting for the White Army. As the movie progresses they eventually form a deeper relationship when they are stranded on an isolated island after their boat is capsized in a sudden storm on their way to the Red Army headquarters. However, this changes when at the end of the movie a boat approaches their island carrying White soldiers. As Vadim goes to rejoin them Maria shoots him in the back, and finally claims her forty-first kill.
The ending of this movie was surprising, but overall not unexpected. This film is obviously propaganda and there is not much that hides that fact. There are many shots within this film that speak to this fact, one of them being the opening shot in which the soldiers faces are indistinguishable from each other as they traverse through the desert, which helps emphasize the unity of the Red Army troops. The portrayal of both the Red and White Armies also emphasizes the propaganda element of the film. The Whites are portrayed as the classical bourgeois oppressors that care only for themselves, while the Reds are portrayed as the underdogs who are fighting for the people. The wide sweeping shots of the desert establish the difficulties that the Red Army is fighting against, not just in the form of the environment, but in the form of the ideals as well. However, the most dramatic scene that speaks to this being propaganda is the choice Maria makes at the end of the film. When Maria shoots Vadim in the back at the end of the film it is obvious that she does this because of her loyalty to the Red Army and their ideals. The fact that Maria chooses her duty over her love for Vadim reiterates the overall tone of the film. This movie is a very good war film and the romance of Maria and Vadim makes it even more enjoyable.
Okraina (1933)
Mostly Confusing
This was an interesting movie to watch due to the format of the film itself. Although the film summary talked about a love story between Anka and a German prisoner of war there was no mention of the rest of the cast who the story also centered on. It was less of a love story and more of a story about a small village and the people living there. Throughout the whole movie there is a struggle between the workers and the owners of the shoe factory in the town, which reflects the national struggle at the time between the tsarist regime and the Bolshevik movement.
Honestly, this movie was slightly confusing. Yes, it was very good at touching on a number of themes – how ideas can transcend national identities, workers united, and the greed of industry – but it went about it in a very confusing manner by jumping between different stories. It also seemed like the last 20 minutes of the film were rushed with the time skip and then trying to resolve the stories in a timely manner. Outskirts criticized the pre-revolutionary government with its portrayal of the shoe factory owner. The factory owner is portrayed as a greedy industrialist who only sees the war as a way to make profit and does not care for his fellow workers. However, this isn't made apparent until those last 20 minutes of the film. While the film is entertaining and contains typical party ideals it falls short in its presentation by trying to do too much at once.
Neobychainye priklyucheniya mistera Vesta v strane bolshevikov (1924)
All Around Entertaining
The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr. West is definitely entertaining and plays on the idea of American ignorance of other cultures. This film is markedly different from previous Kuleshov films that make use of montage to elevate the meaning of a story. Here montage is used to simply better convey the action and humor within the film. At the beginning of the film Mr. West goes to the Soviet Union with the stereotypical idea that Bolsheviks are dangerous and barbaric and he is quickly preyed upon by a group of thieves who seek to swindle him out of his money. Through a series of comical happenings the audience sees how his preconceptions of Bolsheviks are taken advantage of. After being rescued by real Bolsheviks and given a real tour of Moscow Mr. West returns to America with a better understanding of Moscow and an admiration for Bolsheviks and Lenin.
This film is clearly propaganda and that much is evident, especially at the end of the film when real Bolsheviks rescue Mr. West. After this scene Mr. West is taken throughout Moscow and given a real tour, which ends with a parade. When he gets in contact with his wife he tells her that the greatness. This film may convey what Soviets thought of Americans at that time. Namely, that they were a people to be shown the great ways of Bolshevik society. All in all, the film is an entertaining comedy that delivered a clear idea in a concise and understandable way while still using the montage techniques that Kuleshov was fond of.
Po zakonu (1926)
Tension-filled and Impactful
By The Law tells the story of five miners who come to the Yukon for gold. It is a gripping drama full of tension provided not only by the actors, but by the filming and editing as well. From the very beginning you can tell that Kuleshov means to draw attention to the separation of Dennin against his fellow miners with shots of the group enjoying there time together while Dennin is often shown by himself. In many scenes Kuleshov uses montage not only to elevate action, but also to establish tension throughout the movie. A great example of this is the scene in which Dennin and the group celebrates their finding of gold. In this scene Dennin is shown celebrating by himself while the rest of the group dances together. Little moments like this foreshadow the coming conflict and help establish the mood of tension between Dennin and the rest of the group so that it doesn't look forced. Close ups of their faces also help to establish and elevate the emotion within a scene. Close ups of Edith's reaction to the horror that has befallen her group members help amplify the chaos of the scene as well as close ups of the ruined meal and the kettle whistling. The tension is further exacerbated with the thawing of ice and the flooding of the small cabin. Montage shots of the same dreary landscape and flooded area around the cabin help create an almost suffocating tension that further conveys to the audience the drama and tension between the characters stuck in that cabin. The law, to which Edith strongly adheres, is also a cause for that tension as it keeps Dennin alive until Edith and her husband both decide to hold a trial there instead of waiting to turn him over to the authorities. During the trial scene the shots of the bible and Queen Victoria tie back to their strict adherence to the law and what is morally right.
However there is also a bigger tension being drawn between doing what is morally right and civil to what should be done given the situation. Edith is protesting throughout the latter half of the film to wait for the law, while her husband wants to respond in kind to Dennin's actions. The end of the film is the culmination of the tension between the moral high ground and law of the jungle with Edith bending to her husband's idea that they hold a trial on their own. While a trial is the civil thing to do that is overshadowed by the fact that Edith and her husband act as judge, jury, and executioner. Kuleshov does a great job using montage and other techniques to convey the story of this film and create an underlying tension throughout.
Turksib (1929)
Dry, but Good
Turin's Turksib is the telling of the Turkestan-Siberian Railway and seems to be a positive commentary on the construction of this railroad. First Turin establishes the struggles facing the native population by showing images of their daily lives and the obstacles they face. Turin first sets up the importance of cotton and the maintaining of their land by showing many close-ups of cotton and the products made from it before moving onto other establishing shots of the land and the workers, which help to provide a sense of humanity and connection with the viewer. The introduction of the railroad and the positive impact its construction will have on the people of Turkestan is only further cemented by previous scenes like the one showing the people waiting for water. Turin's use of repetitive title-cards in scenes like these help to convey the urgency experienced by the people and further connects the audience with their struggle. The continued romanticizing of the railroad and the focus on all the positives that this railroad will have clearly suggests that this film is one of propaganda. Turin's film has many good elements of filmmaking and is overall successful in conveying the positive message of continued improvement through industrialization.
Sumerki zhenskoy dushi (1913)
Skillful Use of Technique and a Great Story
Twilight of a Woman's Soul is exactly what the title describes. The film follows Vera through the gradual decline of her soul after major life changing events. Vera starts off as a young, naive woman who wishes to help others, mainly the poor. However, this notion of hers is quickly disavowed because the man who she tries to help violates her and she then kills him. Then she has to suffer through holding onto this guilt while developing a relationship with Prince Dolskii to whom she eventually confides her experience after they are married. Prince Dolskii has a negative reaction and basically tells her off and blames her, which leads to Vera leaving and Prince Dolskii wallowing in his sadness. The film follows Vera and to some degree Prince Dolskii, but it's more of a commentary on the development of a woman's soul. These major events in Vera's life obviously changed her and Bauer's telling of that is skillful.
Bauer even uses some great editing techniques to help convey the story. The use of double exposure in the dream sequence helps convey the persistence Vera feels to help the poor while the tinting helps convey the fact that this scene is a dream. It is also interesting that the scene following with Maxim also uses tinting, and this could be used to show that Maxim is entranced with Vera's beauty. The other scenes that use tinting are the scenes when Vera is acting and when Prince Dolskii kills himself. The use of pink as a tinting color in Vera's acting scene help convey the development of her character and establish that she seems to be in a happier place in her life. Contrast this to Prince Dolskii's suicide scene, which is tinted blue and obviously more somber.