If - as likely - unfamiliar with the nation's book on which this is based
- (as adapted by the director, Alexsandra Srelyanaya) - might be better to
know that this is more about the 'Happenings to the servants in Dry Valley'
...
Since:
Typical in its way of Russian style of long, languid, seemingly do nothing
shots and prolonged portentousness - almost photographically still in some
shots of the characters involved* - yet out of which come some gorgeous
painterly (sorta T. Malick) like countryside tableaux: in one mesmerising
instant, involving a bride opining on her future, seemingly only natural
light lit by her surrounding fellow flamelight holding women, is simply
superb and reminiscent of Peter Greenaway's natural light treatments e.g.
In a similar candlelit set up in his the 'Draughtman's Contract'. Then soon
after you get an astonishing dark into light effect almost a la Lynch in
'Lost Highway' which with that also being reminiscent of the well worn
horror genre trope (it's behind you!), would there creepily thrill, as main
actress Yana Esipovich** gently looms out of the darkness to answer her
mistress. (**and being at age c. 21, yet portrays a far younger girl's
naivete most believably.)
Hence, throughout what is otherwise a rather mundane story of how the
Nineteenth century rich / landed ("nobility") elite (the owner is in the
military) contemptuously treated their serfs, you'll be treated to some
beautifully naturally lit shots, *in which some well chosen 'faces of
character' - no doubt selected deliberately so by director Alexsandra, rather
than for any acting - as oft seem cast to remain still and/or impassive,
plus with their being also costumed pretty well too, in all their drabness.
Slow, meandering, but still, overall, visually delightful.
