I’m becoming a bit of a cinephile, and I’d really like to experience the greatness of Soviet cinema but I don’t know where to begin. Hit me with those recs!
Irony of Fate (1976) - rom com
Perhaps a bit of an old fashioned dating culture and even cringey by today’s standards, but offered a glimpse into the Soviet urban lifestyle of the 1970s. Premised on the stereotype that centrally planned Soviet cities all looked the same, comedy (and romance) ensued. One of the most well known Soviet films of all time, due to the fact that they always air the movie on television every New Year’s Eve when families gather, a tradition that continues to present day’s Russia. For maximum cultural immersion, watch the movie on New Year’s Eve.
Solaris (1972) - sci fi
The Soviet response to Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey! Even though Tarkovsky was unaware of the Kubrick film, Solaris became an unintentional counterpart to 2001 that neatly contrasted the ideological difference between the capitalist West and the Soviet Union. While Kubrick depicted a futuristic vision set to technical perfection that propels mankind forward, Tarkovsky asked the question of whether scientific advances are even capable of solving the perplexing nature of humanity. Prepare yourself emotionally for one of the greatest science fiction films ever made.
Their version of War and Peace. They really went all out.
Do watch the early cinema too, like Vertov’s Man with a Movie Camera. Stride, Soviet! Is also good even if it is very much a piece of propaganda
Kim Dza Dza
Tarkovsky’s work
Kidnapping Caucasian Style
2nding кин дза дза
There’s also the MosFilm yt channel that has full Soviet movies in decent quality, many with english subs.
Solaris, stalker
Come and See is the only true anti-war film.
Eisenstein’s works are all worth seeing. Tarkovsky as well I’d say though I think Stalker is a stand-out. Agree with ‘The Ascent’. I’d also recommend ‘The Cranes are Flying’.
The Ascent is definitely a must see
I found a YouTube link in your comment. Here are links to the same video on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:
The Soviet adaptation of Sherlock Holmes.
Gaidai comedy movies.
I don’t remember Guest From the Future and Elektronik well enough.
17 Moments of Spring - I’m not sure. It does suffer from the awkward pacing of the scenes a bit, IMO, and generally kind of didn’t grip me, unfortunately. I didn’t dislike it, though.
Kin-dza-dza - I couldn’t get into it at all. I completely do not understand the movie’s subtext. This one, I do dislike.
