Soviet Union

THE TALE OF TSAR SALTAN: An Impeccably Realized Colorful Epic

The Tale of Tsar Saltan marries the magnanimousness of Ptushko’s vision with the acute details of his set designs and costumes.

STALKER: From USSR With...
STALKER: From USSR With…

The 1979 film Stalker is a road movie where characters go deeper into their own minds and what worries the deepest hidden corners of their body and soul.

SLAMDANCE 2021: Interview With Jurgis Matuelevičius, Writer-Director Of ISAAC
SLAMDANCE 2021: Interview With Jurgis Matulevičius, Writer-Director Of ISAAC

Film Inquiry’s Luke Parker spoke with Lithuanian filmmaker Jurgis Matulevičius about his gritty, Soviet drama, Isaac.

THE ASCENT Criterion Review: A Flawless Work Of Soviet Cinema
THE ASCENT Criterion Review: A Flawless Work Of Soviet Cinema

Larisa Shepitko’s 1977 film The Ascent is virtually flawless, both Blu-Ray and film, on all fronts and comes highly recommended.

Melbourne International Film Festival 2019: MR. JONES
Melbourne International Film Festival 2019: MR. JONES

Mr. Jones is a harsh, masterful film about being wary of the lies being fed to you by your media and your government.

LETO: The Contradiction Of Rock In The Soviet Union
LETO: The Contradiction Of Rock In The Soviet Union

Leto finds a balance between the reality of early rock under a communist regime and the fantasy rockers imagined.

THE COLOR OF POMEGRANATES: A Film That Found Beauty Everywhere
THE COLOR OF POMEGRANATES: A Film That Found Beauty Everywhere

The Color of Pomegranates offers an experience of careful, questioning celebration that combines appreciation of artistic beauty with cognizance of worldly suffering.

THE DEATH OF STALIN: Chaos, Comedy & Communism
THE DEATH OF STALIN: Chaos, Comedy & Communism

Like Armando Iannucci’s other work, The Death of Stalin is a reliably funny romp—it’s just not going to be seen as one of his best efforts.