Okraina

"The Outskirts" - a black and white multi-genre drama by Pyotr Lutsik according to the script of Aleksey Samoryadov. In this ingenious film, the authors have mixed so many genres of cinema that you wonder, this is a parable, a western, a road movie, and a retro film. 30s of the 19th century, the outskirts of Russia, a group of men not finding the truth at home, go to seek this truth in the capital, in Moscow. It is unfortunate that the fate of the authors of this masterpiece was so tragically, for various reasons early from the deceased.

Okraina is an epic movie about family, land and patriotism. It's a pity this movie is little known in Russia. I wish it had the marketing budget of Nochnoi Dozor but sadly that kind of thing never happens.

I'm afraid that non-Russians won't understand the message of this movie, not to say of the cultural/folklore references. "Surreal slapstick" would be the most probable foreign viewer's reaction.

Grotesque at first sight, the movie is actually dead-serious. It appeals to deepest instincts of a Russian soul. Personally, I think this is number one most important movie shot in Russia in last 15 years.

Unfortunately if you do not live in Russia you'll hardly understand this film, which is totally postmodern. There are a lot of cultural codes in it. This film is not black humored - it's about dark Russian soul. Also you'll get perfect lesson of film-making here, Lytzyk uses first-class cinema language. If your dream is shooting (booth - camera work & killing people) - take a look.

Like the cheeky director, Petr Lutsik, this film has some wonderfully bizarre moments, (I think you may be able to label it as surreal). Four farm men hit the road on a journey to the big smoky city and fight the powers that be. A wicked tale about an insane country going through some heavy changes.

It's a very hard movie,and I didn't really find any funny moments-it might be a very peculiar kind of humor which I really don't get.What can I say about Okraina?A very strange movie,somewhere a mix between Tarkovski(the overall mud),Tarantino(the fun of having someone's blood on its clothes),Kurosawa(the gang of men looking for justice),to say nothing about Dziga Vertov,Eisenstein in the expressionistic language.Despite this strange mixture,the movie remains a highly original,and illuminating in understanding why Bakunin,Stalin,the Ukrainian murderers in the Holocaust could exist.It is a movie who needs open-minded,and patient audience.What stunned me-it might be ironic,I hope,it's the collectivist happy end.So,if you love Tarantino,find Tarkovski breathtaking and have nihilistic thoughts,you will like.Others,try it,it might be alright.