Sibir. Monamur

I talked to my American friends before watching and all of them warned me that this is a "heavy" movie. Guess what, it was like I just went home. Real. It was true in every detail. Brutal. Exposing. Poisonous. Nauseating. Yes. And true. Superb work by Slava Ross worthy of Oscar nomination. I think that the strongest lines were: Grandpa, Lyosha, the Captain and Anna, aside from Fang the dog. There was only a single overreach - I do not remember drinking vodka for breakfast. Otherwise - the film was captivating and honest. I feel that sometimes watching the endless line of all-goody-goody movies kills our ability to perceive reality, which is far from nice and fluffy. Soviet system kills the most important thing in every man - his ability to respect himself. That is what the Grandpa in the movie is running from and so do we...

Slava Ross excellently guides his protagonists through parallel story lines, almost wordless immersing into their souls, giving us a glimpse of their cruel humanism, intriguing us by raising our own perception to a angelic level which enables us to perceive the difficulty we would have if we would judge his characters.

At first glance you would say that some of Ross' characters are evil, but sooner or later you will realize that you have to think over your verdict.

What an excellent philosophical film not denying the kind heart in every human soul despite all misery.

Thank you very much Slava for Lesia!!

I have registered to make a review for this film.I shocked when I see 900 vote for such a film.I think Russia is a gold mine for the cinema because after isolation from the world there thousand of lost story and unknown environments such Sybria.The cinema needs too to comments of Russian people.Because there was black out and cinema shaped with out them.This film has a lost story one of these people.The film is breath taking and have too powerful story and environment.Actors camera director are perfect.All film is about hope and teaching you worth of the hope.He is taking from you with such powerful actors and environment.You are cold and lost with in Syberia.Feeling hopeless people emotions.And director has a gift for you end of the film. This film a lost diamond and nobody is knowing.Everybody must see this lost masterpiece!

It's lovely movie,

Siberia. Late autumn. In taiga.

In the deserted village there lives an old man Ivan & his seven-year-old grandson Leshia. A pack of feral dogs devours everything alive in the neighborhood. One of these dogs is Leshia's best friend. Sometimes their relative uncle Yuri brings food to them. Once on his way back from Ivan's village uncle Yuri is attacked by dogs & perishes. Ivan & Leshia stay without supply. Once Leshia witnesses Ivan shooting at 'his' dog & runs away. The old Man finds him in a dry well, but he fails to get him out on his own. Ivan sets out through taiga in search of help. Now the dogs are hunting him... And the boy is waiting for his father...

it is a film for who the review is haunting of wind. because it is out of words. picture of an universe, cruel, touching, pure state of facts, it is a form of pray. this is cause for who, for me, the scene of paper icon is the best. a world in search of sense. desire / need/ search of God. in the heart of taiga. and His presence. in presence of young prostitute. in the young soldier. in the letter to father. in the grandfather as keeper of measure. a Russian film like a conquest. as lines of a battle.it is not an exception, many movies from East are exercises for self definition. in this case, like in Ostrov or Tsar, in Angel Tunnel , the problem, the central quest is this feeling who gives sense of life. the answer - miracle. in old Dostoyevsky manner - redemption. fall of sin. honest image of circle who has you as part. bitter, cruel, sad, full of extraordinary beauty. a film. about God.