Review by jmotsieloa

I saw this movie at Stockholms international film festival earlier today. I found the movie fascinating as it had an atmosphere so thick that one could cut it with a butter knife.

I think the main reason why people seems to have disliked it is because of what it is and what it is not. I think people who disliked it, didn't like the idea of a futuristic St Petersburg and didn't like the futuristic art, clothing and make-up or the cold sterile/dirty contrasts. But that is what the picture was focused on and with that in that in mind it took all of the aforementioned things and executed them in a very beautiful way. The film didn't try to be a "normal" picture in any way and that kind of criticism, which I presume is the reason why people have been negative, is therefore stupid and irrelevant. The end of the film makes the most astounding contrast and gives the film a whole new view.

Furthermore, it features great cinematography and was very well casted as every actor feels as if they were born to make their role-characters come to life on the silver screen. I was impressed by the film and hopes that it reaches the audience it deserves. It could very well become a Blade Runner or Dark City of Russia.