alex h
I was going to watch this movie while being told by several people at the same time, that I wouldn't enjoy it and that it is not my type of movie, as there is a lot of God and Bible that is present in it. Well, all of them were wrong and in my opinion this movie is pure genius. I would start with saying that the setting provided is absolutely amazing, as it perfectly delivers the aesthetic of a person living in poverty and it perfectly gets why somebody would go crazy on religion. The main hero has no father, he is not doing well at school, as well he doesn't find success in relationships, so he turns to God. Or so I got it. Now, that is the most interesting part of the movie, as nearly everything that is happening can be interpreted in many ways. The actors are doing a great job and you are always cheering for someone, but I found myself thinking that the "Student" is not an actual protagonist, as an actual protagonist is the biology teacher. She is representing the modern side of society, the side that believes in facts and can explain everything greatly, which is the type of people that the world lacks. It is much easier to believe in the Bible to get rid of all your problems. It is also a way to try to find the purpose and meaning of life, as some people devote their lives to God. "The Student" is not something that could have actually happened, although you really believe it, but rather it is an allegory on the modern russian society and how it fails to prevent it. The student goes along with the director of the school against all new modern things created, as they are sinful, and the director in this situation is more of portrayed like a country leader, whereas the student is a small percent of people that lives with the same principles, as the leader. But, as long as these people think the same way the leader thinks, there will be no changes. Until one generation takes over another, nothing will change. This movie also shows how religion tears our minds apart, which is why I think this movie was not very well received in Russia, as of how religious people there are. As this movie's antagonist (in my opinion, but he is actually protagonist) spits in the rituals of Russian Orthodox Church, as well as he spits on all modern things, he can't accept. Gay people, which many Russian people still don't accept, as it goes against their mentality. People that are way too erotic, alongside sex before marriage. As well as that, just simple biology and facts seem ridiculous to our main hero. This movie is great in every way possible and can be seen as many things, but I would say that it is really thoughtful and besides having an interesting and tense plot, leaves you with an aftertaste to think about. Don't watch it if you are easily offended by satire on christianity or if you are a very religious person yourself, otherwise a strong 9/10, -1 point for soundtrack, which was really out of place, watch it if you can, one of the best Russian movies of this decade for sure.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
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Audience Member
Terrible movie, boring, repetitive¡¡¡¡ Dont gooo¡
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
02/11/23
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Audience Member
Its social criticism may not be very original but the story, the way it unfolds and the brilliant performances make it something quite fresh.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/22/23
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Audience Member
A brilliant film from head to toe, it's a social critic perfectly set up and ingeniously developed. Epic lead performance.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/20/23
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Audience Member
Absolute masterpiece.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/20/23
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Audience Member
When a thin line drawn between the two concepts.
It is hard to describe this film. A challenging film to make as well. Not like an expensive film with huge cast and graphics. It's a simple drama, a drama that draws a line between two different theories the humans have adapted and followed in the present world. So when a film drags religious as its prime topic, most of those kind of films never received well in the past, says the history. I don't know this film met with any kind of controversy, but all I know is it brought in a wrong religion to tell the story.
I'm not against such kind of concept. But this film was one of those annoying one. It's neither preaching religious nor against. That does not mean a well balanced narration. No, it's not. If you are a believer, you might think it is making some false claims. If you are a nonbeliever, that's a test for your temper. There are many scenes where it could have taken a turn like a normal clichéd film does, but it did not go those ways. Just headed randomly, dragged the runtime of the film to nearly two hours.
The story follows the high school boy Venya, who recently have started to read the Bible. Living with his mother, they have never into the religious stuff. Now he thinks he found his belief, but that does not it, he begins to impact everyone, everything around him. Because of him the school loses its privileges in many sectors. Suddenly he becomes a villain to many eyes, but there's one big backing for him all the way. Then the rivalry between him and the biology teacher heats up. How far it goes and how it all ends told in the remaining parts.
?I wish he collected stamps or jerked off all the time.?
Venya's belief in the 2000 year old book reminded me a real person in my life. He almost trusts everything he reads from the books, which were printed decades ago. The science is updated every day. When a book got printed and in the meantime to reach the people, a new theories have already been proved. That's what I argue with him all the time that he's late and learnt old ones. Two millenniums ago, there was no democracy. This religious book made people to follow uniform rules around the world. Now the time is different, where these old texts do not make logic, excluding the moral values it teaches us. So, like saying, don't believe in everything you read is perfectly aplpies here.
The film was adapted from a German play. The entire film shot in a month of time. Most of the cast were first time in front of the camera. There's no complaint about the filmmaking. From cinematography to acting, dialogues, direction, music, all were top class. But you know, the story had not compromised in any one particular path among the two topics it dealt with. Like it keeps poking in the viewer's eyes by not giving what they want. That makes it a one time watchable film. Because, for such storyline and its such ending, who would go back for a second view.
I have waited till the final for some real twist in the tale! It did come, but totally disappointed the way it went on to conclude. But there were a few sub-topics like gay, (school) politics et cetera. Remember, it is a Russian film where the filmmakers have so many restrictions to use the contents. So I understand the way the film had been made. Even though, just an above average film in my opinion. Definitely it is not a bad film. You could like it better than me, but I'm not sure of that. At least it was unique, and what most of the modern Russian films dared to expose the social issues the nation is facing. I won't favour it, but you should not ignore it too. Do some research on it and decide yourself to try it.
6/10
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/30/23
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