Dotsthavesp
I wanted to but couldn't!
Ginger
Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.
Logan
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
Dana
An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.
drazsika-716-814820
One of the best movies I've seen lately.Three different languages: Russian, Finnish and Sami (Lapp) and 3 different cultures: an army captain, an educated soldier that wants to leave the war and a Lapp woman taking care of her deer farm alone for years who could be 16 or 30 years old.What do 3 people do with each other who literally can not understand a world the others speak? Do they try to learn to communicate? Do they kill each other? Do they hate or love each other?I have felt enchanted over the whole movie showing real human destinies of the last days of WW II without great morals, exaggerated action or acting.Can only recommend!
vino-katse
I did like the idea of bringing people of three different tongues together, and the comedy that followed. Once everyone was safely inside the kota (the Saami tent) the movie was quite enjoyable.Unfortunately, before that it was quite tedious. The story of the chained sniper simply wasn't believable at all, rather ridiculous instead, and while the friendly fire incident on the Russian side could have happened, together the two were a bit too much.Also, I found Haapasalo's lines about war clumsy, preachy and stiff. He was talking as if reading from a book: while people do often write in a formal manner here in Finland, very few actually talk like that. Those who do are usually considered great bores. Since I don't speak Russian or Saami, I can't tell whether the other characters suffered from the same problem.Visually the film was excellent in places (especially with landscapes), and the story had potential, but could use quite a bit of improvement in the first third of the script.
multimail-2
Fascinating film this, in many ways.Slow to start, as the conscientious objector is nailed to a rock as bait following the ending of WW2 hostilities in Scandanavia. The director takes is through a sometimes quite painfully slow process as or young soldier fights a battle with a nail and chain. The scene when the chain gets released is a relief.The scenery, the close-ups, the human facial reactions throughout carry this film well. I can't understand why some friends of mine say they cannot watch subtitled films - here we have no choice - though non verbal communication or body language is clearly universal, even in adversity.My favourite scene: when the young soldier suffers from the Russian guys bullet. He drifts away into unconsciousness and is bought back the Saami woman's traditional trance like spell - the scene cuts to a young boy in white (angel of death) leading our character away, only to be pulled back to the present at the very end.As someone interested in people and communications this film is a classic - ends beautifully and the camera-work throughout is wonderful.Watch it a few times, be sure to catch the humour!
Ethical_Anarhist
This is the first movie that i have voted to get 10/10. I have watched the original Russian version as well as the subtitled international one. Both actually offer a different perception.The film examines the absurdity of war and of interpersonal communication between the "enemies". However, it also shows how the individuals who are involved can grow to overcome their prejudices, although sometimes at the price of attempting to kill someone who would be your friend under the different circumstances.Historical accuracy of this film should be taken as a measuring stick for all the other films of the similar genre.
