Two Russian Gems

Films/DVD Asylum

Movies from comedy to drama to your favorite Hollyweird Star.

The first one could not be recommended any stronger, and the good news is it is available here in the US.
The film is called "Komissar" and it comes with extremely interesting history attached. I don't know about you, but I can't recall another movie in history that was the first and last effort of a director, who managed in that only work of his life, to reach the level normally associated with the titans of movie art.
Its director Alexander Askoldov was fired after nearly finishing his work in 1967, and the film was shelved until being finished and released in 1988.
As I said, its artictic qualitied put it squarely among the best films ever made. It is simply unbelievable that someone could hit his target this well with the first throw.
That alone would make it a worthwhile viewing, but as I said, it is a great film by any measure.
The second one you will have great difficulty locating in the US. But if your search is fruitful, you will enjoy its results... I promise. The film is "Gorod Zero" (City Zero) by Karen Shakhnazarov.
It is simply a MARVELOUS film. It in incredibly witty and full of good humor, intermeshed - as is probably mandatory with any film maker who lived through the horrible Soviet times - with great dose of history. Most definitely not your traditional film, but the mood it creates is so palpably surrealistic in good sense of that word, that it keeps you involved and laughing all the way to the finish line. There is an undeniable line going back to Bunuel's Avenging Angel, but let it not fool you - it is a completely different work.
If you CAN get it by any means (the imdb says it has only been released in Finland... hmmmmm...) you will not regret.

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Topic - Two Russian Gems - Victor Khomenko 08:49:54 12/23/02 (4)

Re: Two Russian Gems - klaus 16:10:01 12/23/02 (3)

Watched the Parade tonight - Victor Khomenko 19:32:54 12/28/02 (0)

Re: Two Russian Gems - DA 12:06:52 12/25/02 (0)

Re: Two Russian Gems - Victor Khomenko 17:00:02 12/24/02 (0)

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