★ 7 / 10
Tovarishch partizan
GianfrancoSpada
Roman Shumunov's Berenshtein is a film that aspires to greatness, delivering moments of artistic brilliance while grappling with inconsistencies in its…
Roman Shumunov's Berenshtein is a film that aspires to greatness, delivering moments of artistic brilliance while grappling with inconsistencies in its emotional and narrative execution. It stands out for its meticulous craftsmanship, particularly in its visuals and sound design, but struggles to fully connect on a human level.The cinematography is one of the film's most compelling elements. Through the use of muted tones, stark contrasts, and natural landscapes, it captures the bleakness of wartime Eastern Europe with haunting beauty. Light and shadow are employed masterfully to evoke an atmosphere of both despair and resilience. However, the film's focus on visual composition can sometimes feel distant, favoring aesthetic grandeur over intimacy. This detachment, while visually impressive, occasionally dampens the emotional impact of pivotal scenes.Equally notable is the production design, which immerses the audience in a world of historical authenticity. From the meticulously recreated costumes to the desolate wartime settings, every detail feels carefully chosen. However, this precision can sometimes feel too calculated, as if prioritizing historical accuracy over the raw unpredictability of life in the chaos of war. This calculated approach is mirrored in the sound design, which blends period-accurate ambiance with a restrained, haunting score. While technically flawless, the overuse of silence creates moments of detachment during emotionally charged scenes.The performances are anchored by Alexander Khmelnitsky as the older Leonid Berenshtein. His portrayal is restrained and poignant, effectively capturing the weight of a man haunted by his past. The contrast between his frailty in old age and his fierce resolve during wartime is a powerful narrative device, though the performance occasionally feels too subdued. The supporting cast is competent but underserved by a script that prioritizes the historical narrative over deeper character exploration.Shumunov's direction is deliberate, leaning heavily into contemplative pacing. While this reflective tone adds to the film's poetic ambition, it often comes at the expense of emotional immediacy. Non-linear storytelling and abrupt time jumps, while potentially reflective of the confusion of war, leave viewers disoriented. Key moments lack the narrative grounding needed to fully resonate, and the absence of visual aids, such as maps, further hampers the audience's ability to contextualize the unfolding events.Despite these flaws, Berenshtein succeeds thematically. It is a sobering exploration of heroism, sacrifice, and identity in the face of unimaginable hardship. The closing tribute to the WWII partisans, paired with archival photographs of the real Leonid Berenshtein, gives the film a poignant emotional weight. These moments remind the viewer of the real, human cost of war and the bravery of those who resisted tyranny.Berenshtein is a visually striking and technically accomplished film that falters in its attempt to balance artistic ambition with emotional depth. Its evocative cinematography, sound design, and historical fidelity make it a compelling watch, but the lack of character development and narrative clarity prevent it from reaching its full potential. A tribute to unsung bravery, the film lingers in the mind, even as it leaves the heart wanting more.
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★ 7 / 10
lots of action and dialog with no explanation
drystyx
How much of this is true? Probably most of it, or at least it's told as well as Berenshtein himself knew how to tell it. A story during WW2 of Russian…
How much of this is true? Probably most of it, or at least it's told as well as Berenshtein himself knew how to tell it.
A story during WW2 of Russian resistance against the German onslaught, with Berenshtein apparently in a few quandaries, one of which is whether or not to even reveal his real name.
The story is ultra confusing. And it's hard to understand the dialog. It's dubbed in English, and without subtitles, you really can't understand more than a few words by any actor other than the main character.
Still, you do get a "feel" for what is going on. It's just confusing. There is a commander over Berenshtein, but he is also a leader of what seems to be a squad.
One command character parachutes in early and gives Berenshtein's commander some static about his role in the war. They're supposed to cover for thousands of troops crossing a river.
Berenshtein is part of an intelligence unit, and the plot jumps into the future without explanation often. At one point, although they are lacking in food, Berenshtein is at a dinner for officers, and one of them angers him, but I have no idea what the anger is from. He invites the officer outside and hits the officer, and then nothing else happens from this incident.
Later, he parachutes with his squad into a place further West, landing in Poland, where he doesn't want to be. We're led to believe he's a hundred miles from his destination, then we hear him say he's two miles away, so again there is confusion.
The squad learns of a German super weapon that sounds like something Captain America would run into, and their plans change. Their plans change again to do a humanitarian effort. Do they get back to the Captain America plan? I won't tell you.
I think the point here is that everyone is confused in the war, and that's okay, because that's the point of the movie I think.
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100%
AUDIENCE
6.4/10
583
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Not to mention thousands of Polish officers. Stalin used WW2 to murder so many of his own people including most of russian officers prior to the war leading to early disasters for the russian army at start of nazi invasion. Things haven't changed that much since then