User Reviews

After viewing this film for the second time, one comes to realize just how dependent we are on the convenience's we have at our disposal here in the U.S. It is hard to believe that we are in the 21st century and people are still living in the manner of those depicted in the film. Obviously the spring has not been affected by the nuclear disaster of the immediate area. One wonders how they are going to survive if any thing happens to Alexei. It's obvious that these people have endured hardships beyond belief, yet they seem more than contented with their way of life. The scenery is simple, yet beautiful. No attempts at trying to hide the reality of what these simple farm people must endure to stay alive. The average age of the villagers is 71 years old, yet looking at them gives you the impression that they are older. The life they lead has taken a toll on how they look. Watch the women as they wash clothing in a ice cold spring. One woman is shown bending over at the waist while the snow flakes cover her back. I tried to locate the film to buy, but it wasn't for sale by any of the suppliers I buy from. I will film this heart warming story the next time Sundance shows it on television. I wholly recommend watching this film. It really gives an insight into how people survive in Russia on next to nothing but their belief in God, their own skills and what little they receive from the Russian Government in the way of aid.

I love this movie. My parents are from rural Austria and Germany and grew up very much in this manner during the second world war. It is nostalgia for them to see this film.

But every time I see it (and I watch it often, having saved it via TiVo), I can't help but wonder what's happened to these people in the 6 years or so since they made the film? what happened to this young man? As to the viewers who were curious about his disability, it appears to be a mild cerebral palsy, and doubtless influenced his decision to stay behind with the 55 older people--- fearing the judgment and lack of acceptance he might face in the larger world. His Budische world seems so safe and inviting and simple.

But lonely. When his mother teases him and wishes him a lovely bride on his 34th birthday, he asks her to fill up his vodka glass extra full.....

I saw Chernobyl Heart after seeing this movie and came to realize that growing people cannot survive with good health in this environment, but apparently older people can be fine. I would like to know if they are still there, if the characters we saw are doing well..... They aren't anywhere on the internet at all.

I just saw this on Sundance last night.

I was interested in seeing what life was like in a village near Chernoble 16 years after the disaster. Instead, I was treated to a picture of life with the earth whose only interference from money was a monthly check from the state that seemed to go mostly to vodka. The movie isn't about radioactivity, it just happens to take place in a village whose demographics were changed by Chernoble.

The story revolves around one man, 37 years old, who stays behind in his village after most people left following the Chernoble disaster. At the center of their village is a spring which provides clean, non-radioactive water. The food they eat and most other things around them are radioactive.

Alexei is surrounded by elderly people, average age 73. (I think that's what they said.) To most westerners, their life would appear to be a living hell. To me their self-sufficiency is amazing. They grow or make everything they need. The strength of these old men and women is amazing, especially considering the way they chug vodka like water (Though I'm sure that they don't do that every day.)

I just loved the scenes of these people making lumber from trees with little or no help from gasoline. They grow all their own food with some help from some horses. They also have a wheat thrasher. If you could imagine the polar opposite of living next door to wal-Mart, you could imagine their lives. I would probably hate it (says my rational brain); but a lot of me wishes I could be putting my blood sweat and tears into living off the earth instead of getting fat at a computer terminal and paying taxes for an unjust war. (If this last comment offends you, this isn't a good movie for you, go see Rambo again - it's easy to tell the good guys from the bad guys)

The cinematography doesn't try to be dramatic, but the landscape can't help but to be. Unless you have some personal issues with alcohol, this movie is bound to relax you.

The movie is a bit slow like their way of life, but I recommend it.

There was one issue that did not seem to be resolved. Our star, Alexei, seems to have physical problems. He is strong and capable, but he walks with a severe limp. I am not sure if he was born this way, or if this was a result of Chernoble.

I recommend this movie.