Spanning five decades and three generations of the Ustyuzhanin family from Yelan, Siberia dealing with their feud with the Solomin family, war, poverty, greed and death. Beginning in 1904 and finishing in 1964, the film documents life in this Siberian village. Nikolai, is a kid in 1904 Siberia, and meets a fugitive from the revolution, which inspires him, while he helps his father chop trees and create a road. The film skips 13 years to 1917, when Nikolai has grown up, and he falls in love with a member of the rival Solomin family, Anastasia. They fall apart and she decides to marry another man. Nikolai starts a fight on her wedding day, and after her husband sexually assaults her, she jumps in the boat with Nikolai, to the city. The story skips to 1932, then to 1941 and finally to 1964. You see characters grow up before your very eyes, as the Second World War and other obstacles get in their way. I really don't want to spoil anymore of this story. There are many threads, characters and dramatic events which occur during the movie.
This was a complete blind-watch for me, and I was not disappointed during any of the duration. The film lasts 275 minutes (4 hours, 35 minutes) but the version I saw lasted 205 minutes.
The film is split into two segments and five time-zones. With each time change, the village feels like a different place. First there is the snow, then the green countryside and forests, and after the war, the village is derelict and filled with Russian grannies.
Visually this film is stunning. The camera switches to black and white when there are war scenes, or 'Devil's Mane' scenes are located. Otherwise the film is in lavish colour, emphasizing the unknown beauty of Siberia. Whether the weather is snowing or sunshine, Yelan looks breathtaking.
'Siberiade' has an grand vision, shown in a distinct Russian way. The films of Russia feel like they couldn't be further away from Hollywood, and that is why they are so great. Viewing a film like this, feels like you are seeing something far from the norm. So different, it's strange how it provoked more emotion inside me, then 99% of American films.
Russian films are known for their inaccessibility. Don't expect to like it, especially if it is one of your first ventures into Russian films. I found 'Heart of a Dog' and 'Kin Dza-Dza' very enjoyable, but found 'The Diamond Arm' to be unfunny and dull. Either way I think it's one of the best films on this review blog.
TO CONCLUDE
In my top three Russian films. Epic, thought-provoking, ballad-like and visually stunning.
SCORE
88
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