Menq enq, mer sarere

Frunz Mkrtchyan is one of the most famous Soviet actors, and this is now a Soviet era cult film because it shows how shepherds in the mountains put the 'state' on trial and show that their theft of a couple of sheep is nothing compared to what 'the state' steals from the nation.

While there are beautiful shots of the mountains of Armenia and of life in a small village, this movie is made with considerable dialogue where individuals (including a policeman) interact with each other about the theft of 2 sheep and put each other on trial by taking the role of a judge one after another.

What amazed me is that in 1969, they did not seem to fear the policeman (the state, the KGB)! This movie is shot in Brezhnev's time!

A great intellectual movie to watch.

four shepherds. two sheep. mountains. and a policeman. a nice story. at first sight. but dialogs, the clash between different worlds, the images of solitary life, the existence in rural Soviet Armenia, the cast, details and final image are keys for many interpretations. after 42 years , it is more than a cinema product. it can be a good testimony, door to a strange universe, reflection of present, exercise for clever solution to say truth in an undemocratic regime. in same measure, way for define small things. for understand art to preserve national identity in a huge empire. to use irony as powerful gun. for create a good movie with basic ingredients and conserve the flavor of authenticity. that is all. a film. from many. a policeman, two sheep, four shepherds. a village, the mountain. and glorious entrance in town.