5 Classic Russian Movies to Watch

We presented you with a list of the 5 Russian Movies to Watch. At that time, we included only 5, but there are obviously more, and I today want to present you with another list, the movies that, if you ask a Russian “Have you seen this?”, earn you an indignant “Конечно!” as answer.

Утомлённые Солнцем (1994)

Set in the years after the Revolution, “Burnt by the Sun”, directed by Nikita Mihalkov, will leave you with a nostalgic feeling of the good past times, as real as such a representation could be. This feeling will only be reinforced by the leitmotif you’ll whistle afterwards and that will cling to you as much as The Long Goodbye soundtrack, and for which I apologize in advance.

Русский Ковчег (2002)

“Russian Ark” is a 96-minutes-long sequence-shot by director Aleksandr Sokurov. Entirely shot inside the Hermitage Museum and Palace of Winter, it is both a visit throughout the halls and a travel back in time, along the last 300 years of Peterburg’s history. If you fear it will be a school lesson, do not: it is much more.

 Иди и Смотри (1985)

“Come and See”, directed by Elem Klimov, is a Soviet war movie, set in the Second World War. You won’t find battles in it, though. What you will find is pure war: chaotic, noisy, terrible, inhuman, pointless. You will find one of the best war movies ever made. You will find the heart of the Second World War conflict. “Come and See” was Klimov’s last movie, such the extent of the passion and care he dedicated to it. You will also find madness, so be prepared.

Ёжик в тумане (1975)

I did not mean to include any animation movie in this list but, for this little hedgehog, I made an exception. “Hedgehog in the Fog”, directed by Jurij Norštejn, is only 11 minutes long. Made through the technique of stop motion, it does not display any of the graphic perfection the American animation movies might have got you used to, but, instead, it is all about the story. And what a short, beautiful story it is. “Hedgehog in the fog” is such a cult that it was even quoted by a Russian character in one of US writer Thomas Pynchon’s novels.

Соларис (1972)

Last, but not least, comes “Solaris”. It was just not possible not to include Andrej Tarkovskij in the list. Even though “Solaris” is not, by many, considered one of his best movies, it is indeed a great one and, as the Romans said, de gustibus non est disputandum. It brought forward sci-fi, again, without any of the visual spectacularity of its American counterparts, but with a profound focus on the human mind who approaches the new technological challenges, so deeply innovative that they threaten to modify the human nature as well.

What is your favorite Russian movie classic? Let us know in the comments section below!

Posted by Alessandro M.

Alessandro M. is currently an Intern at Liden & Denz, where he also studies Russian. He will keep you updated on cultural events, curiosities, fun facts and much more though his articles!