V dvizhenii

First, I have to mention how I came to view this film. I'm American, with a nephew who lives in Siberia (he owns several coffee shops in Novosibirsk) . Anyway, on his last visit he gave me a few Russian DVDs to enjoy. Two were action adventure films (a revenge drama and Russian Mafia hit-man film). The third was this film. I had no idea what it was about, since the words on the box cover were totally in Russian (note: the DVD wouldn't even play on an American DVD player, but my laptop accommodated me). Fortunately it had English subtitles. The title of the film in my subtitles, however, was "Moving", not "In Movement".

At first, I thought it was going to be another action film about a reporter getting in over his head with the mob, but as it turned out, it was a very polished character study about a man in search of something (though he may not know it)that will give his life worth. Through his work, his friends, and especially , in the arms of many different women, he tries to achieve this, though it takes a while for this theme to become apparent. As was mentioned in the synopsis, this film has some elements of La Dolce Vita, as well as Antonioni's Blow Up, both dealing with characters who need to get in touch with themselves as well as connect to others. A refreshing film, since I haven't seen a character study of this caliber (hes not totally likable)since Five Easy Pieces. I must also mention a scene toward the end of this film involving the main character, a train, and a woman on a horse, that is not only a brilliant piece of visual storytelling, but metaphor for the character's predicament, as well as a signature shot for the entire film. I was totally blown away by the shot, and , believe me, jaded as I am after so many years of movie watching, that isn't easy to do. But its the hope of seeing such scenes that keeps me watching films. My explanation of the scene isn't too specific, and thats because it has to be seen, which I know will be hard for many, considering the difficulty one will have finding a copy of this film, but its worth it....

The charming and flamboyant reporter of a famous moscow based music magazine, named Guriev, enjoys the fast life. Married unhappily to a mobsters daughter, he takes way to many chances, by not letting opportunities (women) pass by. Now an old friend of Guriev is stepping into this scene, with some "new" ideas. This young and charismatic friend, a new breed of russian businessman, that no longer needs the mob to be successful. A man that actually believes in civil conduct, not only for his own profit, but also in establishing honest dealings. He wants to change the dreadfull reality with a burning passion. So Guriev is drawn right into the middle of an unfolding conflict. Torn by loyalties, he's desperatly trying to stay out of the firing line. Some dear friends of him getting killed, forcing him to make the right choice. (I do not speak or understand russian, but I found this movie refreshingly different from any movie that hollywood produces. I second the first comment made on this film. I run a Videostore in canada, with an increasing russian title collection. For the last 2 years I bypass our main distributers, who are very reluctant to carry (even the best) russian movies.

Yes, there are canadian fans of russian movies. Only a few of my customers are of russian origns. I'm slowly turning a profit on those russian movies (No other Video Store, except maybe some russian ones in the city of Toronto, carries them.). I hoped to see more of Oksana Akinshina in this movie, but She only played a minor part in it. I'm a big fan of Her. Anyway I still rate this movie 7/10 !

The first of all-I'm Russian.First time I watched this film was in autumn 2003 in US.It's been about half of the year since I was in US and the film "In movement"(V dvizhenii) has made a huge impact on me.Beautifully created work what accurately translated real life challenges and questions to the screen tongue.The film actually was produced in the time then nationwide movie theater system in the Russia even did not't exist.It was no preproduction or any kind of commercial activity nationwide,it's a pity. The plot basically reflects nation's new generation life,hope,love-all the things what was very common four-five years ago.The main character lives his life today,not tomorrow.He makes mistakes,he is not perfect,but he is alive.All of the feelings which are human kind go thru his performance.He's got a wife,beautiful,which loves him-but he is open for new relationships and affairs.Easily he sleeps with another woman,commits adventure steps,tries to find a truth,fights for his opinions,without any questions helps others.He has an assistant-a female.He's got a friend from University youth,which he so happy to see after so many years apart and which he betrayed having sex with friend's wife. He's got people and faces who actually his life are.He is trying to find his happiness living his life and not thinking about this happiness-because his real life is a happiness.He is thinking,breathing,working and American style of sweet happiness only with his wife is unacceptable. Political lines helps the plot and a film to be very accurate about true Moscow reality in those days.New world came to Russia after Soviet Union collapsed and this world has brought young generation specific challenges and reality's. The main idea is the questionable life with it surprises and moments.Beautiful and meaningful presence of Oksana Akinshina (Anya) gives Alexander Guriev's character hope and simple truth-she is a kind of woman which stays out of global changes in the country and remain her love and maybe normality.From the beginning as a cheerful and delightful story of life of modern Russian journalist this film takes us to the point there we are ask ourselves what happened with us and the country. The film was beautifully shouted and performed by talented crew. Special thanks to the composer for deep and profound music which hard to forget. And the final scene on the train with Anya and Guriev is excellent and touchable-Guriev sees Anya on the train stop and recognize her.Train moving and he is asking her: Guriev.-Stop.Where you are going?(She remain seating on a horse) Anya.-It is not me,it's you. Guriev running to the exit,she still remain seating on a horse,camera shoots thru windows showing us beauty of Russian autumn,life and this generation,young generation which is seeking for answers and rest but will never find it because changes in the country changed this generation and did not leave choices.That's why this generation of young Russians live right now across the world and in Russia itself and after centuries of Russian history this generation actually for the first time free and this difficult burden of freedom and chances to create a new life and reality makes us and main character Guriev be always "In movement"... Watch this film and enjoy sensational,fresh,intelligent and delectable piece of Art and piece of amazing and sad country Russia. And the special thank you to the Russian Language in this movie-I wish I could post my comment here written in a language with all adjectives and nuances and beautiful constructions which my Mom use to sing me and which makes me Russian then I speak it.

When turning on in motion i thought that it was going to be another hip new age journalist playboy movie, but no more than half an hour in i was having second thoughts.This movie examines well the emptiness that people feel and the necessity to justify there existence.The film sucks you in twists you around and discards you with a sense of hopelessness.Particularly the ending of the film is cinematic genius.Not only does it sum up the entire film in a few minutes and truly shows what the characters life consists of but leaves a sour aftertaste and is a metaphor for modern living.

Could be one of the best of the new wave of Russian films that are coming out.

Definitely worth a watch.9/10