Following the death of his wife and loss of his job, a Russian engineer sets off from Moscow with his 11-year-old son for his sister's house in the Black Sea resort of Koktebel. With no money nor means of transport, they drift through Russia's expansive and mesmerising landscape at the mercy of chance. The father is content to drag his feet, stopping occasionally for the odd job to raise money while the son impatiently dreams of reaching the Crimean coastal resort to see gliders fly in the wind. For the father, the journey is an attempt to restore self respect, piece together his broken life and win back the trust of his son. For the boy, the mythic coastal town holds the key to a new life and emancipation.
During their journey they are met with many hurdles but the last encounter is with Xenia, a beautiful young village doctor who tends to the father's wounds. Since she is single and lonely they begin to fall for each other and this emerging relationship, as well as the father's recovery, threatens to delay the journey until the following spring. The son, who sees Xenia as an intrusion on the only loving relationship in his life, sets off to complete the journey by himself.
With a landscape of tracks, forests and wide open spaces integral to the conception of the story, this hypnotic road movie portrays the temporary liaisons that travel brings – with an understated tone of initial threat in the encounters, which comes from being exposed and homeless. The relationship between father and son is genuinely expressed through illuminating details; the story balanced between an earthly realism and a parable open to symbolism and interpretation. The simple plot is gracefully composed, with stunning lyrical visuals and an atmospheric soundtrack by Chick Corea. Wonderfully acted, delicately observed and beautifully shot, this award-winning debut feature from 2003 is also the story of the Russian landscape and the people living in the countryside.
No comments:
Post a Comment