Films/DVD Asylum

Saw mention here of Vodka Lemon recently (from VK) and watched it last night... what a bittersweet film.

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sjb

(A)

Ultimately sweet but it certainly depicts some harsh realities of life in post Soviet Armenia. Part of what made the film so good... for me at least, was the way it portrayed that harshness very matter of factly. There was no indulgence in it from either a maudlin or woah is me kind of place nor a "look at these noble people suffering nobly" kind of place.
Mostly it was a story about how even in very difficult conditions you can still have your heart.
There were great depictions - true or not - of everyday life in that part of the world... like the bargining that took place when the main character was trying to sell things and the cemetary and marriage rituals (and pre-marriage talk mediated by the grandfather).
Also it was beautifully shot and scored.
Highly recommended for people who like a heaping dose of humanity in their films.

Don't piss on my shoe and tell me it's raining.

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Re: Saw mention here of Vodka Lemon recently (from VK) and watched it last night... what a bittersweet film. - Victor Khomenko 13:05:45 03/13/07 (1)
Needless to say, I feel personal about films like that. I visit Russia twice a year, and I have ample chance to see people's lives. And not just in major cities, where life is bustling now. I have been to some small towns, and know life there. While I have not seen situation just as depressing as the one in that film, most people's realities are just little removed from that. You see plenty of poor people, even though life is generally better today than in the nineties.
Back in the nineties, many factories were unable to pay the workers, so instead they let them take the product they made, as part of settlement.
It was incredibly depressing to see people sitting on piles of pots and pans, by the roadside, on the major highway connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg, trying to get some money for that stuff.
They are now gone... replaced by teenage prostitutes.
- God, that's sad. - sjb 13:25:43 03/13/07 (0)
  I think I might feel some resonance with Russian life because (as I think I've mentioned before) my father's parents were from the Ukraine. I'm sure I still have relatives there.
  Watching a movie like that makes me feel two ways. It touches me in the place where I'd like to live more... that real humanity/heart place... and it makes me feel small for things like wanting the most comfortable mattress I can find... or the car w/bluetooth, etc.
  
  Don't piss on my shoe and tell me it's raining.
If you liked it, you'll definitely appreciate "Schizo" and "Lilya-4-ever." nt - tinear 12:06:14 03/13/07 (4)
srtjddgn
- Thanks! Added them both to my queue. nt - sjb 13:26:49 03/13/07 (0)
  .
  
  Don't piss on my shoe and tell me it's raining.
- As a sister movie to Likya... try to find Interdevochka - Victor Khomenko 12:50:16 03/13/07 (2)
  Made by one of better Russian directors.
  Also definitely try Taxi Blues:
  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100757/
  I loved Schizo. What a bunch of characters!
  - Interdevochka (Open in New Window)
  - Netflix has neither. Damn. nt - tinear 17:12:12 03/13/07 (0)
    a
  - A local video store has Taxi Blues... I'll check it out. - sjb 13:27:36 03/13/07 (0)
    They don't have Interdevochka.
    
    Don't piss on my shoe and tell me it's raining.
I figured that Victor prefered his Vodka with a twist rather than straight. (nt) - Audiophilander 11:09:15 03/13/07 (0)
;^)

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