First Cornet Streshnev: A dusty Soviet relic that's actually kinda good

You should probably only watch this if you have a high tolerance for grainy black-and-white footage and reading subtitles every ten seconds. If you're looking for a popcorn movie, this definitely isn't it. But if you like seeing how people 100 years ago tried to make sense of a world falling apart, it’s worth a look. 📽️

Most people will find it way too slow. It’s from 1928, so the rhythm is just... different.

The story follows this guy Streshnev, an old soldier who has spent his whole life following orders. Then the revolution hits and suddenly his fancy uniform doesn't mean much anymore. It’s a bit sad, actually.

The actor playing Streshnev, A. Gorshenin, has this incredibly expressive face. He doesn't say a word, obviously, but you can see his brain melting as his world disappears. There’s a scene where he’s just staring at a piece of paper and it feels like it lasts for five minutes. It’s almost funny how long the camera stays on him.

I noticed the uniforms look really heavy and itchy. You can almost smell the old wool and damp barracks through the screen. 🧥

The lighting is super dramatic. Lots of deep shadows that make everyone look like they are hiding a dark secret. It reminds me a bit of the vibe in Devushka s dalyokoy reki, though that one felt a bit more poetic. This is more about the mud and the grit of the barracks.

There is this one shot of a horse standing in the rain that felt completely unnecessary. It just stood there. I think they were trying to be artistic, but I just felt bad for the horse. 🐴

The propaganda is there, of course. It’s a Soviet film from the late 20s, so you know exactly where it’s going. The 'bad guys' are a bit too cartoonish in their meanness. They sneer a lot.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of First Cornet Streshnev (1928) through its definitive frames.

But Streshnev himself feels real. He’s not a hero, he’s just a confused old man who wants his life back. That part felt honest.

The editing gets really choppy during the action scenes. It’s like they just threw all the film in a blender. It makes your head hurt a little bit if you try to follow exactly who is shooting at who.

I liked the small moments best. Like the way he meticulously polishes his boots even when everything is going to hell. It’s those weird little habits that make characters feel like people instead of just actors in costumes.

Some of the supporting cast, like Andrey Martynov, feel like they are in a different movie. They are acting so big with their arms flailing around. It’s a bit much.

The music on the version I watched was this loud, crashing piano that never seemed to stop. It was exhausting. I actually had to turn the volume down halfway through just to think. 🎹

It’s not as polished as something like Lilies of the Field, but that’s an unfair comparison anyway. This is a different beast entirely.

The ending comes up pretty fast. It feels like they ran out of film or maybe just got tired of filming Streshnev looking sad. It’s a bit of a thud of a conclusion.

I don't think I'd ever watch it again. Once is enough to get the point. But I’m glad I saw it, just for those close-ups of Gorshenin's mustache and his haunted eyes.

If you're into the history of cinema, or just want to see what 1920s Georgia looked like through a camera lens, give it a go. Just bring some coffee. You'll need it. ☕