Review by alexa7-1

I saw this film at Russian film festival in London and i absolutely LOVED it! The actors were brilliant! and very convincing! The shots are amazing! Operators work is just out of this world (maybe it's cos i was watching it at the cinema but i thought the scenes were beautifully shot and you really feel like you are right there, in the siberian village, even though they filmed it near Novgorod, nowhere near siberia). The film tells a story of a army officer during world war 2 who deserted his company because he really wanted to see his wife who he hasn't seen for 4 years. In those times if you are deserter you'll be shot if they catch you so he has to hide on an island not far from his village. Only his wife knows about him and she helps him out with food etc. You can really feel this rough love between them, they are simple people but they love each other and show it only the way they can, you won't see any soapiness or anything teary in it, just tough real love. The film is actually based on a novel but the ending is different... I won't spoil it for you - you have to see it for yourself but it won't be your usual "hollywood end". I loved this film, and would definitely go to see it again...