Out of the Cold

I must admit, I would willing watch Mia Kirshner read the phone book. This movie is MUCH better than that. Sad, poignent it is a faithful retelling of some of the worst humanity has to offer. As I have told both my nieces -- Rent it! Sit down and watch with your boyfriend! If he doesn't start crying at the last scene, kick him in th nuts & leave!

I must admit this - the movie is beautifully made and the chosen locations look really wonderful. That's all. The story is ridiculous and cheap, rather 'soapy'. But what angered me the most was changing the facts. At that time Estonia had already been annexed to SU and Konstantin Päts was no longer a president (because that guy in the car couldn't have been Vares-Barbarus). The tricolor flags were no longer in use. The German army came only later, during the war. etc, etc, etc People might say that this movie at least lets the world know about Estonia, but I don't really see the need for telling pseudo historic lies. Estonia's real history is so much more exciting and touching than that, and as for soapy stories, well, you can fit them in practically anywhere. I gave it 1, but I could have given it a -1 if it had been possible.

I was impressed how the screenplay of probably fictitious story can be full of really true details of war and Soviet camps. Lots of people lost everything in wars. And all people always should remember it. This movie reminds me "Enemy at the gates".

Although it was rather good film and I had an opportunity to play a role of political prisoner, who is sent to Siberia, it had some historical mistakes. The events take place in 1939-40, the SS woman to whom another viewer refers is absurd. There were no Germans in Estonia at that time. Estonia was liberated from Soviet occupation in July 1941, when first German troops arrived.

This may seem only a minor detail, but if you are making a historical drama, then do pay attention to all details and historical background.

My name is Irina Ginzburg and I'm professor emeritus at the Undergraduate Department of Film and TV at Queens College. In September I had the great privilege of seeing "Out of the Cold", directed by Sasha Buravsky, at the Montreal Film Festival. All I can say is that it is one of the best, most beautifully realized motion pictures I have seen in a long, long while. The writing, production design, costumes and music are fist rate. But what truly stands out is Sasha Buravsky's masterful direction. A veteran Russian playwright, Mr. Buravsky was able to convey a heartbreaking feel of awe and dread, and using his august sets and the atmosphere of the world gone wrong, he fused art and commerce in such deft, delicate way that all I can say is… "Go west, young man! You'll have a great career in Hollywood!"