Der Freund

Even in Russia where alcoholism is a national scourge and - to say so - national art's topic - there are not many movies that shows with such vividness and strenghth all the hell and total chaos and insanity of the life of a alco-path. You must see this man, his flat which looks like Hell landscape and his doings that are caricature and horrible at the same time - REALLY horrible since that man ends violating moral law... And betrayal of a friend - the only being sympathized him and one sent to save him - plunged this man into "outer darkness where is weeping and gnashing of teeth". Still the man is not evil in himself - he's possessed. And in the moments of sobriety his suffering are sharp. One of the best works of splendid Sergei Shakurov. Also the film is notable as animal movie - the spectator is just completely charmed by this second figure in the story - Newfoundland dog called Drug (Friend)... The songs and poetry by Alexander Rosenbaum also worth noting

A rather inconspicuous movie for the Soviet cinema, but an indicative border between two eras of the USSR.

The movie is about a drunkard and his talking dog. The magical dog tries his best to set the owner on the right path of self-betterment.

This film is completely straightforward, simple in every dialogue between an alcoholic and a dog, in their every movement, in every frame. Even shots that show the seasons passing by. This is how time passes for the protagonist, who lives without a reason, only drinks to forget himself.

The viewer's opinion on the protagonist gradually changes from one act to another, from anger to pity. The introduction of a dog into the plot of such an aimless existence completely removed social aspects and discussions about the weakness of character. He got rid of unnecessary drama, pathos and sermons, focusing on the semantic part and on the friendship between a man and an animal. In such a disposition no metaphors are needed; rethinking can occur directly through the demonstration of the subconscious.

And even though the ending of such a story is filled with tragedy, there is still hope for a successful outcome, since friendship has the necessary functionality of revenue and salvation. Friendships have always been the bridge between comedy and tragedy. In this simpleSoviet magical realism, they evoke in the viewer the most important and broadest emotions.