Bells From the Deep

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Audience Member Presented in an early form of Herzog's signature style, Bells From The Deep offers a charismatic and solemn look at religion and mysticism in post-Soviet Russia. Although the film does not give a complete overview of religion across the country (it does not even touch on Islam) the filmmaker instead focuses on figures ranging from the self-proclaimed reincarnation of Christ to the orphaned bell-ringer Yuri Yurivich Yuriev. Through these characters Herzog forms a series of deeply powerful vignettes that reflect the world in which they live and adds familiarity to an otherwise foreign setting. A hugely somber film that seems to echo the holiness of its subjects, it is slow, methodical and filled with touching and quiet spectacle throughout. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member The throat singing, religious chanting, and bell tones are hypnotizing. Herzog also uses the bells as a good metaphor for what I believe is the general point--people trying to find meaning in their lives through any(seemingly ridiculous to outsiders) way they can. Good message, good atmosphere, surprisingly strange content. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member More weirdness from Herzog - this time it is basically the 'meanwhile in Russia' meme in video form. we've got drunks sliding about on ice, things "farting flames", some guy who thinks he is Jesus and some badass throat singing. despite only being an hour long, it does run on and definitely shows its age when compared to Herzog's more recent and more typical documentaries. Like most of his work around this time, it's more about filmmaking than informing the viewer and from that view this one is pretty fascinating. It tells us very little though and is memorable only in the madness of specific scenes and the moments that work. It is hit and miss with what is interesting and what isn't but if you are familiar with Herzog then you should know what to expect- this certainly shouldn't be seen as an introduction to his work. It's another scrapbook piece here that, like the others, isn't very direct or trustworthy- Herzog puts the artistic elements first at the expense of actually teaching us anything. It's fascinating to see some of the madness on tape but as a finished piece this doesn't do too much. Worth checking out if you are a Herzog fan though- it's memorable and has some very nice looking scenes along with darkly comic elements and all the depressing vibes you could possibly ask for in a Herzog piece. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member perhaps athiests might find some some of the disparities (fake jesus, 'mass exorcisms', folks spending all day crawling) insightful, i just found them boring. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member the last scene of the frozen lake is stunning (music, skaters, pilgrims...) Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member some interesting shots... Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Bells From the Deep

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