This is the first film I've seen by director Sergei Parajanov
Tini zabutykh predkiv (Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors)
I was quite looking forward to seeing this one. It had been highly rated and recommended from many sources. But while it's a beautiful looking film in many ways, it failed to move me much.
Parajanov was a good friend of Tarkovsky who has made some films I would highly praise. While they are similar in a few ways including just the fact that they believe film should go beyond simple entertainment to be more primarily a kind of artistic stimulation. But in many ways they are quite opposites as well. Parajanov's camera is quick and bumpy and jumpy with extreme wide angle lenses.
The film creates a strong sense of location. I always like seeing films that transport me to another culture. The music is distinct here as well, like nothing I've ever heard before. And I assume it's indigenous folk music of the Hutsuls who populate this film. Other than that, I couldn't really get a grip on any of the characters or story.
Rating: 6/10