Movie reviews

SPUTNIK RUSSIAN FILM FESTIVAL

ВРЕМЯ ПЕРВЫХ (THE AGE OF PIONEERS AKA THE SPACEWALKER AKA SPACEWALK)

Recommended. Wow! Such movies should be on general release. Another one based on facts, embroiled in Cold War politics and totally captivating. Time measured both ways adds to the tension. This film's in a bit lighter tone than "The Icebreaker". More like American blockbusters but set first in the outer space and then in the Arctic near Sakhalin. The production was consulted by one of the subjects: cosmonaut Alexey Leonov.

КАК Я ПРОВЕЛ ЭТИМ ЛЕТОМ (HOW I ENDED THIS SUMMER)

Recommended. The two men at an Arctic meteorologic station in Chukotka kept me glued to the screen for two hours. Youthful frivolity is juxtaposed with gravitas and experience. One event sets off a series of reactions between the two. Everyday life: eating, bathing, work, fishing, a brief encounter with a polar bear combined with tension masterfully enacted by Sergei Puskepalis and Grigoriy Dobrygin make you wonder what's more extreme: the Arctic or people's emotions.

ЗООЛОГИЯ (ZOOLOGY)

Watchable. The tale of a woman who's suddenly grown a tail shows how the animal part of our nature is the source of our power. The power which can become a burden when others react with fear or inertion, if forced to deal with the unknown, or with perverted fascination. The one altered element of our reality doesn't make the story any less realistic. Quite simple. It also struck me how many Russian people were fat. With better looking actors it would be more pleasing to watch.

БЕЛЫЕ НОЧИ ПОЧТАЛЬОНА АЛЕКСЕЯ ТРЯПИЦЫНА (THE POSTMAN'S WHITE NIGHTS)

Walked out. The isolated village on a beautiful, vast lake is very ordinary, poor, with a few drunks, a kid, people breaking the fishing law. The portraits are disturbingly intimate, including a Peeping Tom scene which I just found appalling. I just didn't want to get so close to the bottom of the society that I avoid in real life two. You could almost smell the drunks. And you get to experience the awkwardness after seeing somebody having sex. A strange case of a film which was made so well I just couldn't stand it.

ЧАРОДЕЙ РАВНОВЕСИЯ. ТАЙНА СУХАРЕВОЙ БАШНИ (wizard of balance)

Watchable. Finally a cartoon which doesn't burden children with adult life problems. If there is any preaching, it's remarking, gently, that kids should learn. The tale is full of magic and wonderful creatures, with a travel in the clogs of a clock. Only the animation could be less sketchy and the music more modern.