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Ya rodom iz detstva (1966)
A luminous remembrance of wartime childhood
This film, aptly titled "I Come from My Childhood" (a quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupery), is a deeply moving, heartfelt, lyrical memory piece about wartime childhood. Making very effective use of a distinctive cinematic idiom of the 1960s, the filmmakers authentically recreate the sights and sounds of a half-ruined town in recently liberated Belorussia where life is gradually returning to normal in 1945. The focus is on children, undernourished, poorly clothed, and emotionally scarred. Yet they have not given up their dreams and hopes and are making plans for a peaceful future. The film wonderfully captures the spirit of wartime friendship, solidarity, and common sacrifice. There is a refreshing harmony in the way this close-knit community is coping with the devastation and losses, clearing the wreckage, and rebuilding the houses.
Yet this film delivers so much more than just a realistic depiction of living and growing up in wartime (which can be found in many other movies). What makes this film really special is the unusually warm and gentle manner in which the man's childhood experiences and impressions are conveyed to us. We are immediately captivated by these children and adults with their open hearts and minds, straightforward ways, and genuine concern for others. There's no posturing, no pretense, no falseness. Just simple and honest living.
The casting is absolutely flawless. Young Vladimir Kolodkin is excellent as the main character, Zhenya. The boy's open, sensitive, somewhat naive, expressive face perfectly fits the gentle, lyrical mood of the film. Nina Urgant brilliantly captures the warmth and integrity of Zhenya's mother. The legendary actor, poet, and singer Vladimir Vysotsky gives a strong and compelling performance as a jovial, virile, scar-faced tankman. His powerful, evocative songs, some of which he sings himself, make the soundtrack truly unforgettable.
Posledniy dyuym (1959)
It's the last inch that counts
SYNOPSIS: The story is set in Egypt. A 43-year-old American pilot, Ben, is going through a rough patch. When there seems to be no more work for him as a pilot, he gets an offer to earn a large sum of money by filming sharks underwater for a TV company. Ben decides to take the risk and flies a small airplane to a remote bay on the Red Sea coast, taking with him his 10-year-old son, Davy. While underwater, Ben is attacked by a shark, leaving him bleeding and paralyzed. The only hope for the two of them to survive is if the boy manages to fly the plane and get his father to a hospital.
In adapting James Aldridge's short story "The Last Inch," screenwriter Leonid Belokurov left the basic plot details intact, but significantly transformed and expanded the emotional and psychological content, much to the film's advantage. In particular, he added a well-developed, increasingly caring relationship between father and son, as well as a theme of gaining wisdom and enlightenment from a tumultuous, life-altering experience. The film was an instant hit with viewers of all ages. Aside from the moving and inspiring tale of courage against all odds, it delivers beautiful cinematography (so effective in the exotic Egyptian settings) and a memorable score (complete with two excellent theme songs: a bitter, agonizing one for Ben and a cheerful, playful one for Davy). Although the film is not entirely free of some Soviet clichés and conventions of the time, it has not lost its relevance and appeal.
Nikolai Kryukov is perfectly cast as an emotionally distant, strict yet caring father who is overwhelmed by life's pressures and has little time for his son. His brilliant performance is not even marred by an excessively gentle (bordering on saccharine) voice-over narration which is meant to highlight his character's inner self in contrast to his outward toughness (in line with the Soviet tendency to portray man's inner world in idealistic terms).
Slava Muratov is charming and bright as Davy, a loving and forgiving son who knows better than to sulk for too long after his father's scoldings. Like all kids, Davy loves to run around and play make-believe. But when things take a tragic turn and he suddenly finds himself responsible for his father's life, he musters up his courage and begins acting like a real hero. The scenes of his transformation into a hero are staged in a deliberately theatrical manner that adds an element of epic legend to the story. Later on in the film, Slava Muratov delivers an even more astounding transformation when he appears in Ben's dream sequence as a beaming, perfectly angelic Davy who flies away from his father on a toy balloon. A most enjoyable and memorable performance from a young boy with no acting experience!
"It's the last inch that counts," says Ben to Davy as they watch an airplane landing in the opening sequence. That plane is flown by a novice pilot who loses control and crashes into the ground. Yet this colorful Soviet film of 1958 is still flying high. It easily passes the "last inch" test, as well as the test of time. It's heartwarming, uplifting, and inspiring, and it has a truly beautiful ending!