![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
The Return re-watched
Feb. 28th, 2006 11:01 amThe Return
This is the second time I watched “The Return” – the best Russian film of this decade for me. I can recommend it to anyone; this is one of the films which I keep returning to, something which always stays with me. It is very simple film, but I don’t think I will ever understand everything what is in it.
The only regret I feel now is that I wish I watched it when it was out on the big screen in UK because “The Return” is stunningly beautiful visually in a reserved and ascetic way. Nature and Russian landscapes have their part in this story as real characters. When I close my eyes, I can see the lakes, the forest, the vast empty spaces of this film and they are for me such an essence of Russia and everything Russian that it makes me feel elated and clean.
The Story
The beginning of the story is simple – the father of two boys was absent for twelve years. Most likely he was in the prison camp (this is implicit in some of the things he says to his sons). The mother never told the boys much about their father. When he is back, he wants his boys to accept him as the father figure and teach them how to survive in this world. But his character is flawed, his emotions are stunted by his past. He takes boys on a strange journey..
What is amazing about this film that it has many layers and explanations. It is a proverb. The main story for me is about what it takes to be a parent. (this is depicted in a very Dostoevsky-like way ;). Some reviews I have seen say that this film is allegory about the return of Jesus.(I don't agree completely on this). Or it could be a Prodigal father story.
I like to think that this film is about Russia, as it used to be said that Russia is a parent for Russian people. Russia has an inheritance of 70-80 years of existence as a big prison camp. I feel that now some of the Russian people feel estranged, unloved and sometimes betrayed by their country. (my parents are an example). And Russia is a tough, austere and most bizarre parent..
And THE ENDING - i loved it, but NO SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!
Casting
The casting is absolutely perfect and the film was made on exceptionally low budget.. The main child leads (Vladimir Garin and Ivan Dobronravov) are simply unbelievable in their performances. The death of Vladimir Garin very shortly after the film’s production adds to the poignancy of the story.
( SEE THE BEAUTY: Some screen caps. Not spoilery )
This is the second time I watched “The Return” – the best Russian film of this decade for me. I can recommend it to anyone; this is one of the films which I keep returning to, something which always stays with me. It is very simple film, but I don’t think I will ever understand everything what is in it.
The only regret I feel now is that I wish I watched it when it was out on the big screen in UK because “The Return” is stunningly beautiful visually in a reserved and ascetic way. Nature and Russian landscapes have their part in this story as real characters. When I close my eyes, I can see the lakes, the forest, the vast empty spaces of this film and they are for me such an essence of Russia and everything Russian that it makes me feel elated and clean.
The Story
The beginning of the story is simple – the father of two boys was absent for twelve years. Most likely he was in the prison camp (this is implicit in some of the things he says to his sons). The mother never told the boys much about their father. When he is back, he wants his boys to accept him as the father figure and teach them how to survive in this world. But his character is flawed, his emotions are stunted by his past. He takes boys on a strange journey..
What is amazing about this film that it has many layers and explanations. It is a proverb. The main story for me is about what it takes to be a parent. (this is depicted in a very Dostoevsky-like way ;). Some reviews I have seen say that this film is allegory about the return of Jesus.(I don't agree completely on this). Or it could be a Prodigal father story.
I like to think that this film is about Russia, as it used to be said that Russia is a parent for Russian people. Russia has an inheritance of 70-80 years of existence as a big prison camp. I feel that now some of the Russian people feel estranged, unloved and sometimes betrayed by their country. (my parents are an example). And Russia is a tough, austere and most bizarre parent..
And THE ENDING - i loved it, but NO SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!
Casting
The casting is absolutely perfect and the film was made on exceptionally low budget.. The main child leads (Vladimir Garin and Ivan Dobronravov) are simply unbelievable in their performances. The death of Vladimir Garin very shortly after the film’s production adds to the poignancy of the story.
( SEE THE BEAUTY: Some screen caps. Not spoilery )
