Vechera na khutore bliz Dikanki

It's pre-Christmas time, people are at home a lot, often old and young together. It's not uncommon to switch on the TV and watch a family film. You've seen the classics many times, but the films from the second series and especially the newer productions are usually more of a torture than a nice, cosy watch together. But there are also insider tips, lesser-known treasures, and this is definitely one of them. A magical fairy tale, ideal for the current times. And magical really hits the nail on the head, something like this cannot be reproduced today. The colours, Bava must have been delighted, the timeless tricks, it works without CGI, it works better without CGI, the backdrops, as if sprung from a dream, the surreal yet realistic atmosphere and last but not least the pleasant running time.

Add it to your programme, every year.

A very atmospheric movie. In Russia, it is always shown on New Years. Real Russian winter. Great acting and storyline.

In the best tradition of Soviet fantasy, Dikanka is entertaining from start to finish. There isn't much a plot (hijinks during the night), but the practical effects are charming, and I laughed harder than I had in a long time.

The best element is the Devil himself. Rather than a figure of fear and evil, the Devil is a hairy, silly fellow who keeps busy by tormenting a blacksmith who drew a religious picture that the Devil found particularly offensive. In addition, there are a horde of lusty and/or drunken townsmen, and a cameo by the Tsarina herself. Also, a "Three's Company"-esquire set piece where character after character must hide out in the local witch's hut.

It's hard not to fall in love with the visual aesthetics here. Yes, they're right in line with those of similar titles - works of fantasy from central and eastern Europe in the 60s, 70s, or even early 80s - but in some capacity one is also reminded of the whimsical creations of French pioneer Georges Méliès. The sets alone are terrific with some lovely fine detail, to say nothing of the costume design, hair, and makeup. The stunts and effects are very simple, betraying the inauthenticity, yet there's a charming whimsy to them that's magical and endearing. This pointedly goes even for Kseniya Blinova's editing, and for Arkadi Filippenko's flavorful music, and the use of lighting at select times is just as delightful. Not to be outdone, the whole cast give spirited, animated performances that accentuate the fancifulness. With all this firmly in mind, the storytelling in 'Evenings on a farm near Dikanka,' alternatively known as 'The night before Christmas,' is largely visual. By all means, one will be stymied if one isn't fluent in Russian, or has the benefit of subtitles, or at least has Nikolai Gogol's original story as a point of reference. Yet between Aleksandr Rou's scene writing and direction, and the players' expressive acting, the dialogue almost serves as a rounding facet and finishing touch, like a song that can be appreciated by considering the vocals as another instrument rather than as purveyor of lyrics.

The narrative, meanwhile, is a minor joy, and distinctly follows Gogol's 'Christmas Eve' very closely. What we're given is a fantastical tale stirring together the mischief of The Devil, sorcery, the goings-on and social dynamics of a small rural village - and, of course, love - all at Christmastime. It's not a fiercely gripping saga that demands our eyes and ears, yet it's quite enchanting in and of itself, with clear influence from and reference to the culture in which it was written, and associated folklore. With that short story serving as solid foundation, all those working on this 1961 adaptation had the chance to let their creativity flourish, and the result is ever richer for the splendid work that all turned in, even down to Dmitri Surensky's smart cinematography. This won't appeal to all comers, and as suggested there are certain limitations on who will get the most out of it, but it remains an inviting, duly absorbing picture that's as enjoyable as it is lighthearted. Whether one has a particular interest in Russian cinema, Gogol, atypical holiday flicks, or is just looking for something good to watch, 'Evenings on a farm near Dikanka' is an excellent little movie that's worth checking out.

This remarkable work merges into one powerful creative stream the genius of two outstanding figures of Russian culture: the writer Nikolay Gogol and the filmmaker-storyteller Alexander Rowe.

Gogol, a close friend of Pushkin, is a very original Russian writer, whose childhood and youth were spent in South-West Russia, also known as Little Russia or the Ukraine. He was one of the first to notice and embody the enormous literary potential of Little Russian life and folk art. The story "The Night Before Christmas", on which this film was shot, opens the cycle of his Little Russian works.

You might think that this is a typical love story, but in fact this is only the background, and in moral terms the Blacksmith, who fell in love with an arrogant and frivolous girl, is no better than the lustful Deacon who came to the Witch at night. This fits in well with the general outline of Russian literature, which traditionally looks down on the base passions of man. This is, first of all, a story about the triumph in a person's soul at Christmas in the context of a distinctive southern Russian village, which perfectly conveyed its atmosphere with all the qualities characteristic of the people of southern Russia, such as a sense of humor, kindness, broad soul, the ability to both deeply immerse themselves in thought and to walk, sing and have fun on all holidays, especially Christmas and Easter.

There is no evil in this story, the evil is leveled down to petty human vices, the victory over which is symbolized by the solemn worship at the end. Even the devil, played by the brilliant Georgiy Millyar, is not an enemy of humanity here, but the same victim of his own petty vindictiveness, appearing in an exclusively comical image. This is an exceptionally kind Soviet film for a kind holiday like Christmas and New Year.