My Joy

Germany/Russia

Ironic title. beautifully photographed and directed film which presents as bleak and depressing a view of humanity, its values and contemporary life as I've ever seen. Unrelated sequences invariably end in degradation, violence and death for someone.

The first character's story goes on for a half hour...he seems to be a good person, a truck driver who behaves well in several situations...but he is set upon in the dark by some low-lifes and murdered for his cargo which it turns out is useless for his killers. So it goes...

It's hard to reconcile the high level of film-making skill shown here with the message...life sucks and then you die...violently.

3