Russian cinematography is somehow special: I haven't seen any good comedy filmed in Russia for quite a long but I've seen a dozen breathtaking dramas that are difficult to forget - and that are not widely known neither in Russia nor in some other countries. And today I'd like to share my impressions from a very tough, firm and genuine film by Vasily Sigarev Living.
I have never composed any film reviews in English - that's why my essay may be somehow illogical, but still I do my best to reveal the world of good-filmed-in-Russia-films for you.
Vasily Sigarev shows us three parallel stories united by the concept of death, death of those beloved, near and dear. Every character has to face the fact of their relative's or beloved death and the director shows the mental changes from the inside. I have never seen such a true-to-life illustration of what's going on in human mind when we get deprived of those we love; that's a plunge into the thick grey world of mental disorders, changes in perception and suicide thoughts. This is hardly a film for everyone, but that's a film worth watching.
The artwork is outstanding with its marvellous music by a Russian group The Dolphin, with a wide range of different symbols (which you finally get as soon as the film ends), with the brilliant actors' work. I don't really want to reveal any more information about the plot (otherwise it'll be quite boring to see the film), but I'd like to mention that this film will roll over you again and again as a wave - powerful, severe and pure.
My resume: the film is definitely worth seeing. It's far from being black or gothic - it's true, it's about our life and its action can take place anywhere in the world (a small Russian town's backstage makes the idea behind the film clearer, but that's only the backstage). Get ready that you'll be shocked. Impressed. You'll possibly cry.
Some films are made to make human soul a bit clearer. Living by Vasily Sigarev is one example.
Think twice before you choose to watch it. I bet you will never forget this artwork.
Faithfully yours,
Anastasia