As part of my blog's purpose is to report on life in Latvia; I want to take this opportunity to delve into one aspect of the culture of Latvia's big neighbour, which is still very popular here, even if the popularity of that neighbour is on the wain.
Like most British people I was completely unaware of most movies to come out of Russia or the Soviet Union.
I had seen 10 minutes of Battleship Potemkin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laJ_1P-Py2k) and fell asleep through the tedious boredom of the original version of Solaris. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEOfJQX2qdQ)
Moving to Latvia meant that I suddenly had access to a lot more Russian and Soviet era cinema but my lack of Russian put me off at the start. Meeting Lena changed all that and I have gained an admiration and a greater understanding of Russian cinema, especially the comedies. The comedies are not usually overtly political and many of them involve a large amount of slapstick and pathos. Many of them involve spirited young people and useless crooks.
Here is a list of my favourite Russian comedies that i have seen since arriving in Latvia.
1962- Queen of the Petrol Station
A young girl gets a job at a rundown petrol station and turns its fortunes around with a mix of enthusiasm and get up and go.
1966- Kidnpping, Caucasian Style
An older man sees a beautiful girl and wants to marry her. When she says no he sends an inept bunch of kidnappers after her. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBm1h3LOD7Q)
1969- The Diamond Arm
A man has diamonds hidden in the cast that is on his broken arm and the crooks want it back. Worth it just for the drunk Karaoke scene. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wlNYXpw0kI&spfreload=1)
1974- The Unbelievable adventures of Italians in Russia-More crooks this time searching for a horde of treasure in St Petersburg. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVmYk9z4RdU)
1975- The Irony of Fate. A man gets drunk, is put on a plane and wakes up in the wrong apartment....or is it? Russian classic New Year movie. Very Romantic too. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KdMNgQsPgQ)
1977- Office Romance. A man falls for his female boss. Go Feminism.. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjTimO4j2T4)
2010-The New Year Tree. A comedy of connected lives over 24 hours. Has spawned 2 sequels and one prequel) Produced by Timur Bekmambetov, the director of Wanted and Abraham LIncoln, Vampire Hunter.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ16Fsh7GBA)
If you fancy any of these you will love them. And dont forget the Russian Sherlock Holmes movies are worth a look too.
#russiancinema #theironyoffate #timurbekmambetov
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