Saturday, January 8, 2011

Silent Souls

Russia

A very intriguing film. Set in Russia's North among an ethnic group that hasn't fully assimilated into the mainstream. They retain their own beliefs and customs and this film seems designed to lay out some of them for us.

One man's wife dies so he enlists the help of a friend and together they prepare her body and burn it on a beach in accordance with their cultural practice. This is all done with respect...not quite reverence. The film would be a nice companion to Departures.

As cinema the film is minimalist. As anthro it was fascinating and easily held my attention.

6


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