Directed by Elem Klimov
Produced by Elem Klimov
Written by Ales Adamovich and Elem Klimov
Starring Aleksey Kravchenko, Olga Mironova and Liubomiras Lauciavicius
Plot Summary: A Belarusian boy endures atrocities during World War II.
Significance: Cited as one of the genre's finest, this acclaimed war film was featured in the latest Sight and Sound Poll (#154 in 2012 critics' poll and #30 in the directors' one). It also won two awards at the Moscow International Film Festival.
Thoughts: One of the most unsettling films I've ever seen. This is a rough watch, and the atrocities depicted are truly horrific, even if some of them aren't actually shown on-screen. It feels too realistic, which is a popular viewpoint. Aleksey Kravchenko gives an extraordinary performance, capturing the loss of childhood innocence amidst the brutality of war, and he was only fifteen at the time. The film also boasts superb cinematography, mostly shot with a Steadicam. Elem Klimov's masterful film might be hard to watch at times, but it's one that shouldn't be missed.
Rating: ****
This is the tenth film in my 2013 Blind Spot Series, as first started by Ryan McNeil.
I've heard a lot about this film as it's in my watchlist as I hope to see this one real soon.
ReplyDeleteHope you get to see it soon then. It's one of the best Blind Spot films I've seen this year.
DeleteI need to see this. Once I get 81 finished I'll be working on 85 (my birth year!) so I'll need to see this for that :-D
ReplyDeleteGood stuff. I love how you have a few years you're trying to complete at the same time. :)
DeleteI try to work on one year per decade, but I alternate. Like right now I'd getting movies from Netflix for 1974, 2013 and 1994...and I'm DVRing the hell out of movies from 1981 and 1956. Once I wrap up 1994 and 1974, I'll start Netflixing 56 and 81 and I'll start DVRing 1963 and 1985...LOL, it's a system ;-)
DeleteHaha, I've read that a few times, and I'm still not sure I comprehend that system. :/
DeleteSome of my ballots in the next few weeks will take some hits, since I need to start catching up on some 2013 releases. I want to get my list and ballot done by late January if possible, but I *must* see Binoche in Camille Claudel 1915 first. ;)
This sounds truly heart-wrenching indeed, it's the unflinching honesty of the brutality of war that often stays with you for a long time.
ReplyDeleteYeah, this film will stay with me for a long time. It's definitely worth a look.
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