Reno Rangan
Without a doubt one of a best Russian movie I have seen till date and one of a best among 2011 world movies. It tells the story of cruel Siberian natural environment and those men who are depending on it. Specially it deals between the good versus the bad, even some animals are in crucial part of this beautiful tale.This movie distinguishes between the man, the animal and the nature. These three are the main ingredients of the story and the movie explains how they are related in this one world which they share for theirs survival by facing and defending each others all the time. The one who gain victory will be profitable for their survival and future. Of course it was concentrated more on human perspective which tells how the humans created borders within themselves by ethic, race, nationalism and all, who had to fight themselves others than the beasts and harsh mother nature.This movie gives more meaning than what it was made of just like some modern art. If you had a vision you will get it just like an poet. The places where the movie was shot were amazing and breathtaking just like what I have seen in the other Russian movie 'Kray'. Camera work was good, a fine photography, it was the artistic capture of beautiful Siberia.
Armand
it is a film for who the review is haunting of wind. because it is out of words. picture of an universe, cruel, touching, pure state of facts, it is a form of pray. this is cause for who, for me, the scene of paper icon is the best. a world in search of sense. desire / need/ search of God. in the heart of taiga. and His presence. in presence of young prostitute. in the young soldier. in the letter to father. in the grandfather as keeper of measure. a Russian film like a conquest. as lines of a battle.it is not an exception, many movies from East are exercises for self definition. in this case, like in Ostrov or Tsar, in Angel Tunnel , the problem, the central quest is this feeling who gives sense of life. the answer - miracle. in old Dostoyevsky manner - redemption. fall of sin. honest image of circle who has you as part. bitter, cruel, sad, full of extraordinary beauty. a film. about God.
nitorch
With this complex story about human nature, Slava Ross made exceptional debut as a director. She put back on track Russian cinema, that in past few years lost some of the values with failed blockbusters, historical epics and unnecessary sequels (some of them made even by Mikhalkov).Alongside with Vozvraschenie, this is another character study that deals with hard life of individuals living in remote area. It creates a parallel between humans and animals, compassion and cruelty, living and surviving.The story is breathtaking, very well written and directed. Cinematography is stunning: it shows in its perfection the main character of the story - nature. Beautiful, distant, unpredictable, frightening and never-ending space... which controls actions of every other character. Their inner nature and emotions gets changed towards each other depending on circumstances. However, they are connected in a battle against the wilderness of the nature, but divided by a way of surviving.Do not miss this modern Russian masterpiece which shows a circle of life with one different point of view.
Alexander Basargin
It's the best and incredible film about wild Russia. All scenes about hard life in taiga. I'm under the impression.The old grandfather and his grandson live in the wild wilderness. Wild dogs have eaten all the animals in the nearby woods. Grandfather is lame and can not go far to hunt. Wild dogs ate their goats, they have no food. His grandson is waiting for his father. Sometimes they were visiting by uncle and brings food, because of the drunkenness and sloppiness uncle once was lost in the forest. The grandson had quarreled with his grandfather, fled, and fell into the pit. To get him out of the pit grandfather needs help and he goes through the wild forest to the people.This film is about what it means to be human. This film about the hard life in which there is a place not only care about survival, but also mutual.This is a complicated film, it makes you wonder about the meaning of life.
AD
