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Video: What foreigners say about the best Soviet New Year films: From delight to rejection
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
One can hardly imagine the New Year without our favorite films: "The Irony of Fate", "Gentlemen of Fortune", "Carnival Night". They have the charm of the past, a unique atmosphere, subtle humor and belief in miracles. For several decades, these paintings have remained popular. Does a foreign viewer share the opinion of Russians about these masterpieces of Soviet cinema?
Irony of Fate or Enjoy Your Bath
The opinions of foreigners about the cult New Year's comedy by Eldar Ryazanov are very different: from complete rejection to endless delight. Some people recommend watching it as an easy-to-read film, but there are also those who find it boring and even filled with hidden Soviet propaganda.
The first thing that causes misunderstanding among the foreign viewer: a huge amount of alcohol, which practically flows like a river. Many do not understand how, with such doses of alcohol, both of Nadya's gentlemen remain alive? However, the foreign viewer also sees Zhenya Lukashin and Ippolit Georgievich as such losers who have not managed to achieve anything by the age of maturity.
Some consider comedy a waste of time, as well as propaganda of stupidity and debauchery. Others, having lived with the heroes of the film a whole life in one night alone, feel the warmth and bright hope that "The irony of fate or Enjoy your bath!" Opinions about this film are exactly the opposite, however, many recommend it for a cozy family viewing. There are also those who try to understand the mysterious "Russian soul" and study the culture of a distant and unknown country thanks to the painting.
READ ALSO: A look through the years: Actors who played in the New Year's comedy "Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!" >>
Gentlemen of Fortune
In general, the foreign audience likes the comedy of Alexander Serov. True, many believe that the main idea of the film is the director's desire to show the prison reality from the inside, while our fans of the film note that in it, as it should be in a New Year's fairy tale for adults, good triumphs over evil.
Foreigners also point out that the plot and the jokes are outdated long ago. Although, in general, almost all foreigners who watched "Gentlemen of Fortune" note the excellent acting, the real comedic plot and good impressions of the film. It is recommended for viewing by lovers of Russian cinema and for a fun pastime for the whole family.
Some people compare the picture in quality with the American TV series "Seinfeld", which, like "Gentlemen of Fortune", refers to a situational comedy.
READ ALSO: What remained behind the scenes of "Gentlemen of Fortune": how they looked for camels and came up with a new thug jargon >>
Carnival Night
One of the first films by Eldar Ryazanov was liked by the foreign viewer. They saw in it an analogue of American musical comedies of the first half of the 20th century. For many, "Carnival Night" has become one of the must-see films on the eve of the New Year and Christmas holidays.
The perfection of the musical numbers, and subtle humor, and satire on Soviet reality were noted. It is worth remembering that the film was rejected at one time by the artistic council. Soviet film critics found him boring and irrelevant, but the audience loved him literally from the first shots. Foreigners are also in solidarity with them, who fell in love with the picture for its lightness and pleasant aftertaste.
READ ALSO: What's left behind the scenes of "Carnival Night": "There is a setting to celebrate the New Year merrily!" >>
Sorcerers
One of the favorite New Year's tales, based on the work of the Strugatsky brothers, often causes bewilderment among foreigners. In their opinion, the plot of the film is too primitive for fantasy, and the special effects used in the film do not look impressive at all. Sorcerers and magicians serving in the Soviet institute seem unconvincing to a foreign viewer, and the romantic line seems boring and drawn-out.
"The Wizards", released in 1982, did not make it to the world distribution, so foreigners usually watch the film on the advice of their Russian friends or acquaintances. By the way, they note: without detailed explanations, it is generally difficult for a foreigner to understand what is happening. Where Russians laugh to tears, foreigners don't even smile.
However, after explaining some of the details associated with the Soviet past, there are those who are able to appreciate the subtle humor, the wonderful acting and the magical mood that the good old fairy tale creates.
When a film is released abroad, its name sometimes not only changes, but loses its original meaning. Moreover, this applies not only to foreign films in the domestic box office, but also vice versa. Foreign filmmakers sometimes distort the original version of the title of films. So, the films of Eldar Ryazanov are very popular abroad, but they are very difficult to recognize by their new name.
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