Piter FM

This movie is the epitome of a modern Russian romance. I saw it while studying abroad in St. Petersburg. It really captures the feel of that great city, as well as having a very Russian take on love and friendship. It's a movie that probably wouldn't be good in translation, but if you can watch it in Russian, I highly recommend it. It's really fun to look for all your favorite spots in Piter as they show up in the film, and at the same time grow to love and understand Maxim and Masha as they deal with their emotional upheavals. As my friend Nadya said, by the end, they don't even necessarily have to be in love. Finding that human connection, that friendship, is all that's really necessary.

The trailers give a very clear idea of what the film is going to be about. And so did the very first scenes of the film. It is about triggered love. Clear, yet I am still curious - in such issues as this, it is the process not the result that attracts us...

...

So, I just watched it. Indeed, the trailer reflected the style and story well.

True, logical development of an attachment. What also it is about? Also it is about internal freedom. Being loyal to your own self. Meeting of these 2 people, or rather their being aware of each other existence triggers changes in their life-long decisions. She decides to cancel her marriage. He - to stay in the city. Why? They both are not sure yet but unquestionably feel much better about their choices. By the end of the film they finally find a way to meet each other...

Even though the ideas of the film are not really new, the story presentation, people, scenery, white nights of St. Petersburg, great music choice - all come together and play off very well making this film a very fresh, freeing endeavour.

Someone explain to these two, that the phones they hold in their hands, can also be used to call people if someone is late for an appointment.

At last this film is on IMDb. A wonderful debut by a new name in Russian film directing - Oksana Bychkova. Romantic comedy Piter FM falls into a category of so-called "films for mood". The joy of living, the feeling of approaching love... and the beautiful city as one of the main "actors".

The plot is simple. Masha is a radio DJ living in Russian "northern capital" St-Petersburg. She is going to marry her old school mate. Wedding dresses, cars, flowers - that's her everyday trouble. Running in a hurry to meet her bride who would arrange another very important thing for the marriage, she loses a phone, and a young architect Maksim finds it. Maksim is about to leave for Germany in a few days, but he tries to give the phone back to its owner - several times arranging meetings but with no success...

First of all, the movie is beautifully shot. Piter (St-Petersburg) is a wonderful city with fantastic architecture. In the film, the city is bright, moving, a city with a smile - sometimes kind, sometimes sad or ironical. Don't try to analyze the film, you just have to feel it. It's like music, like an impressionistic picture - the main thing is to capture a short moment, to live for the moment and to enjoy.

After this film I finally made up my mind to go and see this wonderful city.

P.S. Andrey Krasko - RIP. One of his last roles, a very short one but really impressing.

This is a very light-hearted movie. The plot and characters are rather predictable, but it leaves a good impression, at least it did for me. For some reason, probably because of the camera work and the story, I had an impression that I was watching a Russian version of "Amelie". I think I enjoyed the beautiful St. Petersburg's scenery and minor characters (like Vladimir Mashkov playing a strange man in a one-minute episode) than the main story. Some small episodes are quite funny. For example, a policeman stops than main hero (Maxim) to check documents and asks among other things: "Firearms? Illegal drugs?" "No, thanks," Maxim replies. This movie shows a different Russia from what you may be used to. Good movie to watch with a date.