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5.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Dvazhdy rozhdyonnyy remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a weird fascination with Soviet-era agricultural politics and men who just really, really want to be left alone to farm their own dirt, this is for you. If you need a movie that moves faster than a tractor in low gear, stay far away.
It’s a strange, slow burn. Grigoriy Lopukh is the kind of guy who probably argues with his own shadow. Watching him realize the world moved on without him is almost painful.
The cinematography has that specific dust-in-the-sunlight look. It feels like every scene was filmed in a field that hasn't seen a drop of rain in three weeks. You can practically smell the dry hay through the screen. 🌾
There is this one shot of the village square that just lingers. Nothing happens for about forty seconds. Just a stray dog walking past a fence. It feels weirdly honest, like the director just forgot to yell cut.
I found myself wondering if Lopukh actually likes farming or if he just likes the idea of being told what to do by nobody. He has this look of permanent annoyance that is honestly kind of relatable.
The film isn't trying to be deep, it's just trying to be loud about its message. It’s heavy-handed, sure. But there’s something about the stubbornness of the lead character that kept me watching, even when the plot started to sag like an old barn door.
It's not as sharp as Open Range, obviously, but it has this gritty, earthy feel that you don't get in modern stuff. It’s a relic, but maybe that’s the point. It’s definitely not a fun watch, but it’s a stubborn one.
Also, the ending. I won't spoil it, but it’s abrupt. Almost like they ran out of film and just decided that was enough. It left me wanting to go outside and touch some grass. Or maybe just sleep.
