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10 cult Russian films for which you are not ashamed. How do they stand out

As in any other cinema, in the domestic there are enough passing works that you don’t want to revise. Many of them are literally at once, others turn off closer to the middle or at the very beginning. But to say that good films are not made in Russia is impossible. Really interesting films that you want to watch several times in order to better understand are not so rare. I hasten to share a list of those that have long noted for myself.

12 (2007, 16+)

  • Kinopoisk: 7.6.
  • IMDb: 7.6.

Some scold the director of the painting Mikhalkov for the fact that 12 is a parody of the painting “12 Angry Men” of 1956 with a domestic flavor. After watching the original, I formed a different opinion – it was in Russia that they managed to make a full-fledged film, and not a “theatrical production” on the topic of a fair trial. It is curious that the picture does not have an introduction at all, which explains the plot. The viewer is immediately thrown into the harsh loopholes of the narrative – the jury is ready to pronounce a guilty verdict, and only one participant is against it. He starts the debate in a raised voice and breaks the course of the case. However, in this case, it is not even the plot itself that attracts the most, but the play of actors: Makovetsky, Garmash, Gaft, Stoyanov. All of them showed their talent at 100%.

“Dandies” (2008, 16+)

  • Kinopoisk: 6.9.
  • IMDb: 7.1.
10 cult Russian films for which you are not ashamed.  How do they stand out

Musicals are rare in Russian cinema. Moreover, tragic comedies are not often filmed in Russia, among which I would like to include this picture – and so deep (thanks to Yuri Korotkov, who worked out the script so well). What can I say, the key musical compositions of the picture deserve special attention, many thanks for which it is worth saying to Konstantin Meladze – what are the “17 years” of the “Chayf” group in a jazz arrangement or a remake of “I’m what you need” of the Bravo team “… All this, together with the entourage of the early 50s and the obvious protest mood of the subculture that appeared after Stalin’s death, give rise to genuine interest in the picture and guarantee real aesthetic pleasure from viewing it.

“Home” (2011, 16+)

  • Kinopoisk: 7.6.
  • IMDb: 7.5.
10 cult Russian films for which you are not ashamed.  How do they stand out

Many focus too much attention on the criminal overtones of the picture, which runs through it like a red thread – a big mistake. Specifically, this is not the most important thing here. Moreover, in order to fully understand the picture and feel it in detail, one view will obviously not be enough. Sharp and even tough, socially and with soul – it seems that the film turned out to be too strong and vital for a feature film. For the older generation, which has gone through fire and water, the storyline will be more understandable. For those who have not yet encountered difficulties, the film can open their eyes to many non-obvious points – to explain why others sometimes act in this way and not otherwise. It’s possible it’s a matter of circumstances.

“Stories” (2012, 18+)

  • Kinopoisk: 7.1.
  • IMDb: 6.9.
10 cult Russian films for which you are not ashamed.  How do they stand out

About life: sometimes sad, sometimes humorous. The plot of the film is quite complex and for mass consumption – I mean evening background viewing in a noisy company – is not quite intended. However, I really want the thoughts that the picture is trying to convey to be as firmly entrenched in the minds of the mass audience. The film attracts attention with a format unusual for Russian cinema – after all, anthologies are not filmed so often in Russia. And he also managed to fit literally a ton of excellent humor in gloomy colors – with the help of them he skillfully beats the vices of modern society: spiritual, social, cultural. All this causes inevitable empathy even in relation to negative characters.

“Leviathan” (2014, 18+)

  • Kinopoisk: 6.9.
  • IMDb: 7.6.
10 cult Russian films for which you are not ashamed.  How do they stand out

There is a feeling that Andrei Zvyagintsev has never filmed anything better and probably will not be able to do it. The picture – this is amazing – very skillfully reveals the themes of injustice and inequality, it unbanally shows circumstances with sharp social overtones and penetrates to the depths of the soul. Here people become victims of unfair decisions of the leadership and are afraid to fight back, fearing to get a double answer. It turns out that in order not to risk your existence, you need to be silent – a very sharp conclusion that you want to make after a thoughtful viewing of the picture. However, of course, it cannot be denied that the extremely positive impressions of the film are also associated with the impeccable work of the actors, who do not let go of the screen. Serebryakov and Vdovichenkov, thank you – your game is beyond praise.

“Collector” (2016, 16+)

  • Kinopoisk: 7.0.
  • IMDb: 6.8.
10 cult Russian films for which you are not ashamed.  How do they stand out

After viewing a huge number of films (not only domestic ones), all of which take place in a closed space, you understand that this is a very difficult format. When the environment does not change throughout the story, the viewer can simply get bored and lose focus. Each such film seems to be a real challenge, which Konstantin Khabensky very successfully accepted. In addition, the other faces in the picture do not actually appear. But this does not prevent the film from keeping in suspense from the beginning to the final chord. What’s also interesting is that the only character on screen is actually the antagonist who ruins lives.

“Arrhythmia” (2017, 18+)

  • Kinopoisk: 7.7.
  • IMDb: 7.4.
10 cult Russian films for which you are not ashamed.  How do they stand out

The picture appeared in this material is by no means accidental. It is filled with curious characters – they are very clear and in some ways even hypertrophied – and the delicate situations that are associated with them. And there are plenty of moments that make you think. Even if you do not delve too deeply, it still does not hurt to finally realize how difficult life is for domestic doctors. Small salaries, modest rented apartments and extremely difficult service. Heavy, scary, funny, and sometimes funny moments are superimposed on all this – literally the whole range of possible emotions. All this looks interesting and looks literally in one breath – even in a second session.

“Dislike” (2017, 18+)

  • Kinopoisk: 7.5.
  • IMDb: 7.6.
10 cult Russian films for which you are not ashamed.  How do they stand out

The picture attracts attention because it raises an extremely important problem of modern society – indifference. If you imagine the person himself, then he is usually more than sure that he will be able to deal with any problems, that he will not be touched by some hard difficulties. This is a big mistake. Moreover, such people are constantly looking for someone to blame, quarrel over trifles, lash out at loved ones and do not appreciate the time spent together. In the first place they often have only work and some internal problems. Of course, there is no time for parents and other relatives. As for their own children, they constantly think that all family problems are because of them. Absolutely all this in atmospheric cold colors shows a picture that you must see.

“Without Me” (2018, 16+)

  • Kinopoisk: 7.1.
  • IMDb: 5.5.
10 cult Russian films for which you are not ashamed.  How do they stand out

Aksyonova and Maksimova seem to have switched places in this film – the first plays the role of sensual and restrained, the second appears in the role of bold and independent. However, this is not what makes the film memorable, but a fascinating script and its most successful implementation. According to him, two girls who loved the same man, after his death, began to receive messages that only he could write. Although it is not easy because of the endless jealousy, they begin to understand the situation almost together. In this process, a lot of moments arise that touch to the depths of the soul: actions, beliefs and the most ordinary words. The picture turned out to be very sincere and simply real – it is worthy of pride in the national cinema.

“Summer” (2018, 18+)

  • Kinopoisk: 7.4.
  • IMDb: 7.3.
10 cult Russian films for which you are not ashamed.  How do they stand out

Despite the most easy title, the film cannot be called simple. However, this does not make him bad – by and large, he is simply “not for every day.” Visually, the picture is almost completely executed in black and white. Usually they hide their own flaws behind it, but in this case the whole point is in the atmosphere. A film about the past that many people remember, and also about really good music. All this is very well filmed – visually the picture is very strong. Moreover, it is curious that it also correctly breaks through the fourth wall – the heroes of the story seem to understand that they are in a movie, and from time to time even turn to the viewer. At first, the film loads with different thoughts, but after watching it again, a feeling of lightness and freedom appears.

Source: Trash Box

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