Tuesday 15 November 2016

SPUTNIK RUSSIAN FILM FESTIVAL

SOLARIS (1972)

Watchable. The 2002 American version was, as my friend put it, "about Clooney's arse", so I decided to see the Soviet version by Tarkovsky. However ancient it is, it hasn't really aged. Still, the 159 minute running time is too long. The suspense created at the beginning gets ruined by all the slow scenes. In fact "Solaris" by Stanislaw Lem is one of the books I have at home but have never had time to read. I believe it must have been groundbreaking at the time. The topics tackled, according to the adaptation - who's really human and "Flatliners'-like chance of atonement - have reappeared in science fiction several times. The thoroughly psychological insight into both of the issues at the same time is the main value of the film. It's just too slow to grasp.

NEBESNYE ZHENY LUGOVYKH MARI (CELESTIAL WIVES OF THE MEADOW MARI) (2012)

Watchable. Meticulous house and dress decorations hide lewdness and vulgarity. Fascinating and revolting at the same time.

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