Maratona de Outono

This is a great comedy about what it means to have a weak character.

Outstanding is the performance of Yevgenij Leonov. Everybody should watch this film because there is a great lesson to learn about life.

As a subjective concept 'goodness' is interpreted in various forms. However, it can be easily assessed if it is seen through the prism of 'actions' performed by people. Russian film Osenniy Marafon (Autumn Marathon) is a tragicomic tale wherein the concept of 'goodness' abounds through the portrayal of an English-Russian translator who would help anybody in need. His weakness is that he doesn't know how to refuse anybody who has come to seek help. However, there is more trouble in store for him due to his tendency to intentionally utter numerous false statements to both family members and colleagues. Russian director Georgi Danelia put himself in a creative quandary by making a film about a man who has too many negative qualities despite having a charming outer appearance. This is one reason why authorities who worked for the promotion of Russian cinema were reluctant to promote this film as it chose to depict a philandering liar who would cause immense grief to both his mistress as well as wife. Although the film's theme might appear a little outdated to contemporary viewers but it was an immense success during its release in late 1970s. This brings us to question why there was tremendous opposition to this film in official circles as adultery has always remained a recurring theme in Russian literature. It is not a secret that many duels were fought with loss of lives over extra marital affairs. Lastly Russian actors namely Oleg Bassilashvili, Natalya Gundareva and Marina Neyolova are credible in their respective roles as husband, wife and mistress who suffer immensely as a web of lies is woven around their erratic lives.

Niffiwan from Toronto is not right (Interesting to note is that the director was female). The director is male and strong Caucasian macho with mustaches, born in Georgia. By the way Georgi is the name, like George. There is a rumor that heroes of his movies have latency homosexual complex but it is just a joke. But who knows? The film is pure genius. This is the story about soviet intellectual (not an average soviet man from Brezhnev's era), English to Russian interpreter, who read some lectures in some university. He live in a big apartment with many rooms - it is very unusual situation in Soviet Union for family with one child (the hero have one daughter). This is the symbol of privileged position for brain workers in Sovet Union society. But his work is silly and insignificant. He is in trouble with his slinky mistress (genius actress Marina Neelova), smart and understanding wife (also genius Natalya Gundareva, RIP), colleagues and so on. The problems are snowball running and his life is start to decline. This is not a comedy - this is a sad story that may be associated with brothers' Cohen movie "Fargo" or something like that. The quality of actors play is brilliant and absolutely realistic. I strongly recommended another Danelia astonishing film called "Kin-Dza-Dza" (strange adventures of mid-aged soviet foreman and his accidental fellow young Moscow student on another planet, kinda postapocaliptic totalitaristic Mad Max style world - the strong satire on all human civilization)

As a student of Russian language and culture, one of my biggest pet peeves is the way people who lived during the Cold War talk about the Russian people and about Russian society. Most people have terrible misconceptions about Russian Society. One of the most interesting epochs of Soviet History is the Brezhnev Era. Some of Russia's most celebrated dramedies such as Rjazanov's "The Irony of Fate" were coming out at this time. If you want to get a small taste of what Russian Society was like (although it is impossible to fully understand what you don't live through), this is one of the best films you can find. In addition, it's quite witty and even belly laugh funny at times Andrei's neighbor and the Danish professor go mushroom picking. If you enjoy films, which perhaps don't focus on plot, but rather conduct deep character analyzes by portraying a series of events and their effect on the characters, then this is the film for you. It is actually slightly reminiscent of American comedies by Wes Anderson and Alexander Payne. ABSOL'JUTNO STOIT VAM SMOTRET' I KAK MOZHNO BYSTREE!!! NU CHTO ZH SIDITE-TO.. BEGOM!

After "Osenniy marafon" (called "Autumn Marathon" in English) came out, director Georgi Daneliya couldn't get any work for about two years; the movie didn't conform to socialist realism in quite the way that the authorities wanted. It portrays Leningrad teacher Andrei Buzykin (Oleg Basilashvili), whose life seems to be going nowhere. His wife barely notices him, and the only thing really resembling joy is when his Danish friend asks him to go jogging every day. But things may be about to change.

The title may refer not only to the jogs with his friend, but the possibility that Oleg's life may be about to completely change (and how he may have to overcome certain obstacles). Maybe. And his friend sure had wild hair for a Danish person - I thought that Scandinavian people usually have very straight hair.

Now for a little joke. There ought to be a movie called "Autumn Marathon Man", in which a burnt out Russian teacher gets some unnecessary dental work.