Okraina

I thought this was a really beautiful movie. It is not the type of movie that can be a big commercial success, I don't think you have to be Russian to 'get it'. Actually in general I think it is wrong to try and understand a movie from the supposition that there is only one explanation and one correct interpretation. Obviously it tells us of a barren, vast country, where man struggles with the earth. The imagery is really powerful, it sticks in your head. The actors do a fabulous job. Lighting, decor and photography are just absolutely right there on perfection. I recommend this for people who want a feast for their eyes, mind and soul.

Unfortunately if you do not live in Russia you'll hardly understand this film, which is totally postmodern. There are a lot of cultural codes in it. This film is not black humored - it's about dark Russian soul. Also you'll get perfect lesson of film-making here, Lytzyk uses first-class cinema language. If your dream is shooting (booth - camera work & killing people) - take a look.

Having read the few other comments i have clearly missed most of the Russian cultural significance and jokes in this film. However, as a new zealander who enjoys all kinds of film i saw this at one of our festivals and absolutely loved it.

as mentioned in the title, to a non Russian eye it moved like slapstick in slow motion. Plenty of accessible deadpan, morose humour was on show as well as some great backdrops and scenery.

i particularly enjoyed the long close-up shot/scene on the farm four wheel motorcycle thing. funny how such a pastoral setting can become so surreal.

towards the end it seemed to change gear and moved quite quickly to black comedy and on into b-grade style action - with an explosion and getaway worthy of ed wood. amongst all this is still managed to be quite gripping and had me keyed in wondering how their quest would turn out.

If you liked this film I would suggest seeing:

American Astronaut, The Beaver Trilogy

Definitely worth a look if you like something a bit different. Jacob.

Definitely a decent movie. Unfortunately, if you are not Russian, you will find very little substance in it because it is choke-full of distinctly Russian cultural/folklore references, gags etc. that you have to be familiar with to understand. Peter Lutsik created a post-modern Russian fairy tale and enhanced it with imagery straight out of Soviet movies from 1930's. Certain parallells to Jim Jarmusch, particularly "Dead Man," can be drawn, with Lutsik's post-modern approach, the use of black and white film, and beautiful shots of Ural nature. Once again, good movie, but it's not for everyone.

It's a very hard movie,and I didn't really find any funny moments-it might be a very peculiar kind of humor which I really don't get.What can I say about Okraina?A very strange movie,somewhere a mix between Tarkovski(the overall mud),Tarantino(the fun of having someone's blood on its clothes),Kurosawa(the gang of men looking for justice),to say nothing about Dziga Vertov,Eisenstein in the expressionistic language.Despite this strange mixture,the movie remains a highly original,and illuminating in understanding why Bakunin,Stalin,the Ukrainian murderers in the Holocaust could exist.It is a movie who needs open-minded,and patient audience.What stunned me-it might be ironic,I hope,it's the collectivist happy end.So,if you love Tarantino,find Tarkovski breathtaking and have nihilistic thoughts,you will like.Others,try it,it might be alright.