Skip to main content

Elena (2011)

Elena (2011) movie poster

Elena (Russian: Елена) is a 2011 Russian drama film directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev. It premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival where it won the Special Jury Prize. It also won a Golden Eagle Award for Best Film and a Nika Award for Best Actress. Nadezhda Markina was also nominated for the Best Performance by an Actress at the European Film Awards and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

When a sudden illness and an unexpected reunion threaten dutiful housewife Elena's potential inheritance, she must hatch a desperate plan ...

Freddy and Krasnaya movie review
***SPOILER ALERT***

K: "Elena" is one of the latest films shot by one of the most famous modern Russian directors, Andrey Zvyagintsev. As usual, it doesn't leave you careless after watching. This film seems really monotonous, showing the daily life of the main characters, Elena, and her husband Vladimir. The picture is very slow, and at some moments it gets frozen, showing only depressing trees without leaves, or the boring lifestyle of each character. This mixture is complemented by wonderfully made music by professional composer Philip Glass. This music brings such a high level of anxiety into you that you always suspect that something will happen.

F: "Accurate portrayal of post-soviet life". That's exactly what I'm not going to say about this film. Everyone (reviewers) is painting a picture of what modern Russia should look like after watching this 1h49m film. Just stop that please. It's a movie about 2 families that suck ass and that's it.

elena at church

F: This is a simple story where nothing really extraordinary happens. You will not feel sympathy for the dying old man because of his lack of compassion towards his wife's family. And you will also not feel sympathy for the wife because she ends up being a gold digger, killing her husband cold-blooded to support her irresponsible and stupid-looking family. This is what is interesting to me in the movie, the gloom of modern Russian society.

K: The main characters, Vladimir and Elena, are an old couple. Both of them have children from previous marriages and this is where they can't find a compromise. Elena blames Vladimir's daughter for being ignorant and selfish, and Vladimir blames Elena's son for being completely spoiled and an irresponsible man. They are from different social strata - he's rich and she's poor. Actually, in the beginning, I didn't understand that they were wife and husband, the cold way they lived, the way they talked with each other, the way they acted, it looked more like an owner and housekeeper relationship. I didn't feel any sympathy for them. They don't feel happy and satisfied being together and in this situation I always ask myself why? Why do people continue living together? In that film, the reason for me was MONEY. Money that Elena's son needs to survive and be able to get another drink. These characters, Sereja and his son Sasha, who don't care about anything in their lives, living a parasite lifestyle, are completely booooòring and I feel disgust and disrespect towards them.

F: Wow stop spitting on my floor Krasnaya, calm down. 😂

lazy sergiy

K: This film might be curious for people interested in learning Russian (the dialogues are not that difficult), for psychological analysis, and for someone who loves depressing stories. For me, this film was really thought-provoking, probably because I found something personal in it.

F: Yep I've chosen this to watch because I'm learning Russkiy. The pace is slow but dark enough to keep me awake; there's a stimulating depressive atmosphere following Elena wherever she goes. The end of the movie is not that satisfying for me, but I can go with it.

Watch an interview with Andrey Zvyagintsev here:


Krasnaya Score: 85/100
Freddy's Score: 68/100
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Flow (2024)

Plot Summary: A stray cat navigates a post-apocalyptic flood, forming unexpected bonds with other animals as they struggle to survive in an ever-changing world. Without dialogue or anthropomorphism, the film delivers an emotional journey of resilience and adaptation. Director: Gints Zilbalodis Producer: Matīss Kaža, Gints Zilbalodis, Ron Dyens, Gregory Zalcman Screenplay: Gints Zilbalodis, Matīss Kaža Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Video Game or a Movie? And we’re back! Still haven’t finished my Frank Oz filmography (only two movies to go!), but hey, when do I even have time to watch movies alone anymore? So, here we are again with another animated feature. This time, it’s Flow by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, a film that has racked up awards and was entirely made using Blender. At first, I was worried. The opening scene ...
Post a Comment
Click to read

10 Lives (2024)

Plot Summary: Beckett, a spoiled and selfish housecat, takes his nine lives for granted. After recklessly losing his final life, he is granted ten more—but with a catch. Director: Chris Jenkins Producers: Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon, Ash Brannon, Ernesto Matamoros, Leland Cox Screenplay: Chris Jenkins, Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon Starring: Mo Gilligan as Beckett Simone Ashley as Rose Ashley Sophie Okonedo as Grace Zayn Malik as Kirk and Cameron Dylan Llewellyn as Larry Llewellyn Jeremy Swift as Happy Bill Nighy as Professor Richard Craven   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Nine Lives Too Many Saturday afternoon with 10 Lives, directed by Christopher Jenkins. Jenkins has been in animation since at least 1988, starting as an effects animator on Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Now he brings us this 2024 film about Beckett, a selfish cat who loses his las...
Post a Comment
Click to read

Robot Dreams (2023)

Plot Summary: In 1980s NYC, a lonely dog buys a robot for companionship. After an accident separates them, both embark on journeys of longing, growth, and self-discovery, leading to an emotional conclusion. Director: Pablo Berger Producer: Arcadia Motion Pictures, Noodles Production, Les Films du Worso Screenplay: Pablo Berger (based on the graphic novel by Sara Varon) Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Robot, A Dog, and a Lot of Feelings Another Sunday, another animated movie—this time, the critically acclaimed Robot Dreams, an adaptation of the book by Sara Varon. Right off the bat, this animation stands out with its slick flat-color style and complete lack of dialogue. It creates a beautifully detailed world where there’s always something to miss on the first watch. Set in a vibrant 1980s New York City populated by hundreds of ...
Post a Comment
Click to read

King of the Children (1987)

Plot Summary: Set during China's Cultural Revolution, The King of Children tells the story of Lao Gan, an educated youth sent to a remote village in the Yunnan-Guizhou region to work as a teacher. Director: Chen Kaige Producers: Xi'An Film Studio Screenplay: Adapted from Ah Cheng's novella with the same name Starring: Xie Yuan as Lao Gan Chen Shaohua as Principal Chen Yang Xuewen as Wang Fu   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Jumping Into Chinese Cinema Blindfolded Hey everyone. So, back in January, the internet had a little moment, and suddenly, millions of Americans rushed to a Chinese social media app called Red Note. I got curious, joined in, and ended up discovering a whole new world of culture thanks to some incredibly welcoming Chinese users. Naturally, I decided to ask for movie recommendations, and wow, they flooded in. But despite all the amazing suggestion...
Post a Comment
Click to read

Muppet Guys Talking (2017)

Plot Summary: *Muppet Guys Talking* is a delightful and intimate documentary where legendary Muppet performers come together to share behind-the-scenes stories, their creative process, and heartfelt memories of working with Jim Henson. Directed by Frank Oz, this candid conversation between the original Muppet team offers humor, nostalgia, and a deep appreciation for the art of puppetry and storytelling. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Victoria Labalme, Frank Oz Cast: Frank Oz as Himself Jerry Nelson as Himself Fran Brill as Herself Bill Barretta as Himself Dave Goelz as Himself   Sesame Street and My Childhood Escape To wrap up Frank Oz’s filmography, what better way than with the ultra-casual, heartwarming documentary Muppet Guys Talking? Now, I’ve mentioned before that I was never a hardcore Muppets fan, but Sesame Street? That was a different stor...
Post a Comment
Click to read

The Score (2001)

Plot Summary: Nick Wells, a veteran safe-cracker ready to retire and settle with his girlfriend Diane, is pulled into one last heist by his fence Max. Partnered with ambitious thief Jack Teller, they aim to steal a priceless French scepter from the Montreal Customs House, facing tension, trust issues, and betrayal. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Gary Foster, Lee Rich Screenplay: Kario Salem (story and screenplay), Daniel E. Taylor (story), Lem Dobbs, Scott Marshall Smith Starring: Robert De Niro as  Nick Wells Edward Norton as Jack Teller/Brian Marlon Brando as Max,  Angela Bassett as Diane   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Heist Worth the Hype Finally got around to continuing my Frank Oz film journey, and tonight’s pick was The Score. A two-hour-and-forty-minute heist flick that I had been saving for when I had some serious s...
Post a Comment
Click to read