The Red Village: A Dusty, Uneven Piece of History

Is it worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for gritty, old-world dramas where people stand around looking burdened by life, sure, give it a go. But if you need a fast-paced plot or something that doesn't feel like it’s been sitting in an attic for decades, you’re going to be bored out of your mind. This isn't for everyone.

It’s the kind of movie that feels like a history lesson without the fun parts. It reminded me a bit of the heavy, somber mood in The Sins of the Children, though without quite the same punch.

Notes from the couch

• The lighting is either incredibly moody or just, well, dark. Sometimes I couldn't tell who was talking.
• Anatoliy Kuznetsov has this look on his face like he just remembered he left the stove on. Every scene.
• The pacing? Oh boy. There’s a scene near the middle that just drags. I checked my phone twice.

There’s a strange, quiet intensity to the way the villagers interact. It feels almost claustrophobic at times, even though they’re supposed to be in the open countryside. It’s like the village itself is a cage made of dirt and bad attitudes. 🏚️

I caught myself thinking about Triste crepúsculo while watching this. Maybe it’s the shadow play. Both films have that same sense of things not quite ending well for the people involved. It’s not happy viewing.

Stepan Shkurat really tries to carry the weight of the story on his shoulders. Sometimes it works. Other times, the script just doesn't give him enough to work with. It feels like he’s shouting into a void sometimes.

Final thoughts (or lack thereof)

I didn't finish this feeling enlightened. I just felt like I’d spent a long time in a place I didn't particularly want to be. It’s not a bad movie, exactly. It’s just... intense in a way that feels a little dated. If you want to see how they did things back then, it’s a decent enough window. If you want to be entertained, look elsewhere. 🤷‍♂️