Socialism might be a dirty word in America, but for Russians during the Soviet era, it was the way things were. At least the dogmatic, dehumanizing version of socialism favored by the Politburo. And young people during those days, for the most part, were proud of it. How did they handle the abrupt transition to the rough-and-ready capitalism of present-day Russia? Robin Hessman's outstanding documentary profiles five such individuals. For these Russians, the '70s were kind of like our '50s, and the '90s were kind of like our '60s. But now, over 40 and disillusioned, all five find that the spirit of both the '70s and the '90s has been replaced by a culture that celebrates the worst aspects of Western materialism. Some succumb to the times and conform and even thrive. Others soldier on, clinging to their beliefs. These hardliners still treasure their ideals and the solidarity of those who share them. They know they can't betray those ideals without denying who they truly are.
Related:
Review: Neil Young Trunk Show, Review: Henri-Georges Clouzot's Inferno, Review: Last Train Home, More
- Review: Neil Young Trunk Show
If a Neil Young neophyte can find himself rocking in a cinema seat to the spirited, soulful music performed in this second of a rumored triptych of Demme-directed, Young-starring concert documentaries, long-time fans are bound to break their armrests.
- Review: Henri-Georges Clouzot's Inferno
This autopsy of an unfinished 1964 film by the great French director Henri-Georges Clouzot ( The Wages of Fear ) holds fascinations — and frustrations — for the avid franco-cinephile.
- Review: Last Train Home
Labor Day weekend at the Bourne Bridge has nothing on New Year's in China, when 130 million migrant workers leave the cities to visit their families in the sticks.
- As 'Superman' debuts, risks and rewards of school reform made plain
The documentary Waiting for "Superman" opens this week — an ambitious film that aims to bring the debate over education reform into every household.
- Review: And Everything Is Going Fine (2010)
"Maybe I should just tell you some of the facts as I remember them," the late, acclaimed monologist and actor Spalding Gray says early on in Steven Soderbergh's documentary collage, And Everything is Going Fine .
- Review: Better This World
Young activists sometimes do stupid things.
- Review: Heaven + Earth + Joe Davis
Joe Davis is the type of character who begs to be profiled.
- Review: My Heart Is An Idiot
Is My Heart is an Idiot an act of utter solipsism or utter self-effacement?
- Review: Last Days Here
These are good days for washed-up heavy-metal musicians.
- Review: Wretches and Jabberers
Imagine having as much inside you — thoughts, feelings, desires, needs — as you really do, but being unable to express them.
- Review: Big Shoes: Walking and Talking the Blues
"Playing the blues is not for sissies." This line, muttered by guitarist and former Phoenix associate arts editor Ted Drozdowski, sets the tone about five minutes into Robert Mugge's documentary.
- Less
Topics:
Reviews
, Movies, Russia, Communism, More
, Movies, Russia, Communism, documentary, film, socialism, America, Robin Hessman, Less