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7.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Stantsiya Pupki remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly? Probably not. Unless you’re a completionist for obscure, older Russian cinema or you just have a very specific thing for crusty textures and long, uncomfortable pauses, you’ll likely find this a chore. It’s slow. It’s weirdly quiet. If you enjoy movies like The Last Parade for the historical vibe, maybe give it a look, but don’t expect a masterpiece.
The whole thing feels like it’s being held together by tape and good intentions. There’s a scene early on where someone is just staring at a wall for what feels like a geological era. I found myself checking my phone, then looked back up, and they were still staring at the wall. It was kind of mesmerizing, in a "why is this happening?" sort of way.
There is a lot of standing around. Like, an aggressive amount of standing. Vladimir Lanskoy looks like he’s trying to remember if he left the stove on in every single shot. It’s hard to tell if it’s a character choice or if he just really wanted to be somewhere else. 🕵️♂️
I caught myself comparing it to the pacing in The Moment Before, but this one lacks that same sense of urgency. It just sort of floats there. Sometimes, a film just runs out of steam, and you can practically hear the director shrugging behind the camera.
There’s this one bit—I think it’s in the middle—where the dialogue just stops making sense. It’s not even that it’s deep or philosophical; it’s just gobbly-gook. I started laughing, and I don't think it was supposed to be a comedy. My notes from that part just say "HUH?" in big letters.
If you like movies that feel like they were made in a different dimension, maybe you’ll find something here. But for most people? It’s just a lot of grey, a lot of talking, and very little payoff. I’m glad I saw it once, but I’m definitely never watching it again. 🤷♂️