User reviews

I have watched this film twice. Like a jigsaw puzzle that I cannot put together I am confused as to why. The pieces are all there, and yet thinking it is achieved to my amazement I see some are missing. In this jigsaw is a seemingly casual incitement to suicide, a baby almost baptised in acid and a lot of self-inflicted bodily harm. I think I see a picture of modern, fairly well off youth trying to destroy or mutilate themselves but as I said there are pieces missing. What stand is this film taking towards Russia itself in the film ? Those are the pieces that are maybe there for some, and I believe they are there, but completing the puzzle is impossible for me as they constantly disappear. Homosexuality is elusively in the picture before me, and seemingly negative towards the one character who is openly homosexual. I would like to give it a 10 because it is brilliantly made, well acted and very watchable but I have my doubts about the motives behind its making. Is it nudging the viewer to see the many laws against sexual freedom in Russia or is it equally nudging the view towards a more conservative film ? Elusive though it is ( and many Russian films are, or have to be ) I cannot as I said put the jigsaw puzzle together. On the one definite side it is visually stunning, and to emphatically repeat the acting is perfect. But would I like the film if I could complete the puzzle ?

This film is a Russian trip on Acid, in the literal and metaphorical sense but at the same time it's a crystal clear picture about the dysfunctional Russian society today.