Natalka Poltavka: Why bother with a century-old musical?

Is it worth your time?

Honestly? Only if you’re a total nerd for film history. If you just want to relax on a Friday night, this isn’t the one. It’s stiff, it’s theatrical, and it feels like watching a stage play through a keyhole. But if you like seeing how people made movies when everything had to be sung, maybe dive in.

Natalka Poltavka isn't exactly subtle. The plot is basically: girl loves boy, boy is gone, mom says 'marry the rich guy,' everyone sings about it. That's about it.

The Vibe

The whole thing has this weird, dusty charm to it. It reminded me a bit of the pacing in The Pillory—you really have to commit to the rhythm or you'll just end up checking your phone every five minutes. The singing is... well, it’s loud. Ivan Patorzhinsky is clearly giving it his all, though sometimes I wondered if he was just trying to be heard over the wind in the wheat fields.

There is this one moment where the 'aged barin' Voznyi shows up, and he's just so predictably slimy. You know exactly what he’s going to do from the second he walks onto the screen. The movie doesn't try to hide it, which is actually kind of refreshing in its own way. No grand mystery here, folks.

• The costumes are actually pretty impressive for the era.
• The dialogue is basically all poetry, which makes it hard to follow if you aren't paying close attention.
• Some of the outdoor shots are surprisingly wide and nice.
• Ekaterina Osmyalovskaya looks like she's exhausted, and honestly? I get it.

I found myself thinking about Chandidas while watching this. Both films have that same sense of 'we need to show you the culture' urgency. It makes the movie feel like a school assignment sometimes, even if the intentions are sweet.

The pacing is a total nightmare by modern standards. It just sort of... stops. Then it starts again. Then someone sings for three minutes straight while staring at a fence. It’s a bit messy, but it feels human. It’s not a polished, sterile product, that's for sure. 🌻

If you hate theater-kids, stay far away. If you like folk songs and don't mind a story that takes its sweet time getting to the point, maybe give it a go. Just don't expect a fast-paced thriller. It’s just a girl in a village, waiting for her life to actually start.