"Prisoner of the Mountains", Sergey Bodrov, Russian songs, Nautilus

[alexandral]

We all have lost something
In this senseless war
I felt nostalgic and re-watched two Russian films with Sergey Bodrov and Oleg Menshikov at the weekend, both touching the theme of Chechen's war.Thank you very much ginger001 for recommending a seller on E-bay who has the good collection of Russian films.

Prisoner of the Mountains I absolutely love this anti-war movie. Very simple, but powerful and moving.
Film’s idea is based on Lev Tolstoy’s story. It tells about Chechens war - a "sore spot" of Russia for about two centuries already. Two Russian soldiers are taken hostage in attempt to exchange them for the son of one of the village elders, Abdul-Murat. Two soldiers are played by Sergey Bodrov Jr. and Oleg Menshikov (my totally favourite pair of Russian actors). Because of non-judgmental way of telling the story and amazing attempt to understand the culture of both Russian people and especially people of Caucasus, film never fails to make me cry. What are we doing in Chechya? What is the purpose of this war? Why soldiers and civilians are dying there for so many years? Why don’t we ever understand each other? If you haven’t seen this film before I can’t recommend it enough.

I think he is the cutest thing


Film has amazingly beautiful scenes:



Brother or 'Brat' in Russian Betrayal and brotherly love, Russian mafia and Sanct Petersburg. Sergey Bodrov plays Danila, a young boy who is freshly demobilized from the Chechen's war.
I love this film because for me it is a story about "Russian national character" (if there is one). I don’t know if I am right but I notice difference in attitudes and approaches between Russian and English people. Saying this I I believe it is totally wrong to measure individuals with prejudice. (Sorry I am running away on a rant)
I like this film also because it shows one of the great movements of Perestroyka - Russian rock music, and in particular one most famous groups, Nautilus Pompilius

Russian rock Voice of change, voice of freedom.. Musically it is not “rock” in a sense this word means in the West, melodies often have Russian influence. The main emphasis is always on lyrics. Russian rock started in the 80-s as half-underground movement in the Sanct Petersburg rock club and lyrics tell stories of that generation. Because many groups are from Sanct Petersburg, music and lyrics often are influenced by this great city, it’s grandeur, history, sadness and strange weather. One of the poets named Sanct Petersburg “The Beast”

Nautilus Pompilius. This group was founded in one of the large cities on Ural mountains, Ekaterinburg, but spend much time in Sanct Petersburg later.Nice melodies. Great lyrics.
I have uploaded two of Nautilus songs and their lyrics to share. It is always so difficult to find good translation for the poetry, ginger001 was saying about synergy, poems somehow are more then just straightforward sum of translated phrases.. ;(

I don’t know what you think about downloading music, but it must be not so easy to get Russian music in some of the places in the world you guys live. If we lived in one city, you could have borrowed this music to listen. I guess i am just dying to know what do you think about these songs, that is all;)

1. Wings – this song is from the “Brother” movie. I love this song, and the lyrics just describe the way I feel sometimes. And sometimes i think this song is about Russia and Chechen's war ..

Link for ‘Wings’
You take off your evening gown
Standing with your face to the wall
And I see fresh scars
On your velvety smooth back
I would like to cry from the pain
Or lose myself in a dream
Where are your wings
Which I used to like so much?

Where are your wings
Which I used to like so much?
Where are your wings
Which I used to like so much?

Once we had time
Now we are busy
To prove the strong climb over the bones of the weak
To prove that soot is white
We all have lost something
In this senseless war
By the way where are your wings
Which I used to like so much?

Where are your wings
Which I used to like so much?
Where are your wings
Which I used to like so much?

I don't ask how much money you have
I don't ask how many husbands
I see that you are afraid of open windows
And upper floors
And if tomorrow a fire starts
And the whole building is in flames
We will perish without those wings
Which I used to like so much.

Where are your wings
Which I used to like so much?
Where are your wings
Which I used to like so much?


2. Farewell letter or Good by America – this is probably one of my favourite songs EVER. It describes perfectly how i felt in late 80's early 90’s after the lifting of the iron curtain. Before that time it was almoust impossible for me to go abroad, especially to non-Soviet countries, it was like to go to the moon. (Little did i know of my future! I would have been studing English rather then Computing if I did ;) )

Link for ‘Farewell letter’
When all unknown songs
Fade to silence
In the tart morning air
My last paper boat will shout

Goodbye America, Oh!
Where I have never been before
Farewell forever
Take the banjo, play for me on parting

Your worn-out jeans
I have outgrown
We’ve been taught for so long
To love your forbidden fruits

Goodbye America, Oh!
Where I will never be again
Will I ever hear the song
That I’ll remember forever


And also - I aM so glad koalathebear is back safely!

Comments

[gobi-rex.livejournal.com]

I love NP. It's hard to pick a favorite song, but Goodbye America and Wings is definitely on the top of the list. I didn't have a copy of Wings, thanks so much for sharing. I'm going to pull out my NP CDs this evening, it's been a long time since I sat down and listened to them.

I agree that the best thing about Russian rock is the lyrics. It's funny, I listen to Western produced rock mainly for the music, and to Russian rock for the words (not that I don't enjoy the musical arrangements, when they're good, they're very good).

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I love NP. It's hard to pick a favorite song, but Goodbye America and Wings is definitely on the top of the list. I didn't have a copy of Wings, thanks so much for sharing. I'm going to pull out my NP CDs this evening, it's been a long time since I sat down and listened to them.

I love many other songs as well, "I want to be with you" and o well, almost everything. When NP visited Omsk in 1992 (i think ) i went about 4 times to their concerts!

I agree that the best thing about Russian rock is the lyrics. It's funny, I listen to Western produced rock mainly for the music, and to Russian rock for the words

Yes! queenofthorns was saying how nice she thought was that Russian people think so much about great writers, as she saw fresh flowers on their graves in Sanc Petersburg. I sometimes think that Russians are very poetry oriented, i never know so many people reading poets here as it was in Russia, but it could be just my perception.

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

Do you know that I have been listening to Nautilus in a constant rotation on my iPod - specifically that song, "Wings" (because I heard it in "Brat") and one that is translated as "Breath" in English, which is gorgeous!)...

And I love "Prisoner of the Mountains" - I will have to see that again soon!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Do you know that I have been listening to Nautilus in a constant rotation on my iPod - specifically that song, "Wings" (because I heard it in "Brat") and one that is translated as "Breath" in English, which is gorgeous!)...

WOOOOOOOWW!!! How come? My favourite ever group? **squee**

I just love everything they do, i went about 4 times to their concerts in Omsk in 1992, and it was absolutely amazing and they switched the light when they played "Good by America" , and Butusov had this white almoust fluorescent shirt and they did this song just as acoustic **and i cried**

I love "Breath" too, somehow it always reminds me about "Nautilus" (the one from Jules Verne)
And what do you think of Brat? **cant' contain raptures that you have seen it too**

And i am re-watching "Red" now - you and winterspel just made me want to watch it so much again. i love it to destruction. :) I don't have to work tomorrow, so i am late ;)

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

The Nautilus thing is from my husband who has a lot of their CDs! I can't say that I've really watched "Brat" all the way through, though - I've kind of drifted by when KoT is watching it ;)

YAY for "Red" - it's amazing!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

YAY for "Red" - it's amazing! It is definitely in top 10 of my favourite movies. I love Blue and White too, but Red is my favourite out of tree. I like "Decalog" as well, have you seen it?

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

I like "Decalog" as well, have you seen it?

No, I haven't! Although I definitely need to!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

O, you SHOULD watch it (sorry if i am somehow crossing the line and "pushing" it). It is amazing! I had dreams about these stories, especially "don't lie" one, and "do not kill"

[koalathebear.livejournal.com]

Wow what a wonderful post - so full of many different things. Thank you for sharing. I don't think I've seen any Russian films - a very large gap in my viewing, I'm afraid. I think it's because in Australia we just have very little access to Russian materials. That being said, it should be very easy for me to find Russian movies here in China so I will definitely keep my eyes open now. Thank you so much. I really enjoyed reading this post :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

O, you made me so happy that you enjoyed this post! I don't write about Russian films and music very often because i am not sure if can be interesting to everybody. I like European and Asian cinema and other world cinema myself very much! I like "Muriels wedding" (this is probably my favourite Australian film ) and "The dish".

[koalathebear.livejournal.com]

You've reminded me that I keep meaning to do a post about Australian movies that I like. I love Muriel's Wedding (so sad) and also The Dish. There are a lot of others that are great but I'll put the list together for you to see :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

O, this will be lovely! I am very much looking forward to this! I also watched "Japanese story" - it was beautifully made, but very sad, and "Somersalut" which was about young girl in search for love..

[winterspel.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing your reviews of these films. I found both of them on Netflix, and I've added them to my queue. :) I'm always interested in expanding my horizons, and I've never seen any Russian films!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

"Prisoner of the mountains" is really worthy watching - it is not action packed, nor particular violent, but just ..

I love "Brat" too, but i know my UK friend when watched it thought that it was grim (i thought i will just let you know). Russian films are often realistic and grim, really reflecting that life is much more difficult there. koalathebear often speaks about difficulties of life in China and i find many things are the same in Russia .

[ginger001]

I think I thought about commenting and finally I didn't do it.

Oleg is my favorite Russian actor!

Oh, I just remembered why I didn't comment before: I was waiting to listen the songs but as megaupload loves to play with me I haven't managed yet. Will tell you more when I listen to the songs. I really want to check them out!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oleg is my favorite Russian actor! I know! I keep wanting to watch "Counselor of the state" and make the transcript for you, sorry i haven't done it before!

Oh, I just remembered why I didn't comment before: I was waiting to listen the songs but as megaupload loves to play with me I haven't managed yet. Will tell you more when I listen to the songs. I really want to check them out!

I so hope you like them!