Vasily Shukshin (1929-1974) was a Soviet writer born in the Altai region of Siberia. He wrote in an unaffected style about his fellow Siberians' character, their integration in the USSR and their evolution under the influence of the traumatic events in the first half of the 20th century, especially WWII.
This movie is based on (and has the same title as) one of Shukshin's novellas. The title translates to Hunting to Live, which could be understood literally or as a metaphor for one's efforts to find a place in the world. The main characters are villagers Philipp and Pavel. In their youth they both were suitors of local beauty Polya, as we learn from dreamy flashbacks in black and white. Polya chose Pavel, although she carried a lifelong torch for Philipp (and he for her). She has just died which causes both Philipp and Pavel to reevaluate their lives. Pavel finds refuge in alcohol; Philip, in need of solitude and self analysis heads for a forest lodge used by hunters. There he receives the unexpected visit of of a man who has escaped a local penal colony and is desperately looking for a way to get away, hunting to live in his own way.
Acting (by director Nikonenko playing Philipp and the rest of the cast) is flawless. There are many nice directorial touches such as the beginning, where a shot of the dusty taiga in summer, a few locals seen from afar and a ruined church place us inside the action. The general feeling of the film is melancholy, self analysis and regrets, but it also has touches of humor, as in the scene where Pavel, drunk, is convinced he is speaking to Saint Nicholas. Special mention for cinematographer Sergey Kulishenko who captures not only the vast, desolate landscapes and forests of the taiga in summer and winter but the modest interiors where objects and people take a magic three dimensional quality. A young boy about to start his education is shown at the beginning and the end, embodying hopes for the future.
