Asian Oscar by Alexei German for a prophetic film about Russia

BRISBANE. The winner of the Asian Oscar in the nomination “Best Director” was announced by Alexei German for the film “Under Electric Clouds”.

German Jr.’s films hardly make their way to the heart and wallet of a domestic audience who prefers spectacles less “soul-loading”, not matching a bucket of popcorn. The grumbling about the lack of independence of the movie language, the abundance of quotes from Tarkovsky, Fellini and Hermann Sr. speak only of the good taste of the critic. The six-year filming period of “Clouds” contained a lot: the death of his father, the need to finish his last picture, global changes in the life of the country.

Russia in 2017, populated by extra people, frozen in an alarming lead fog and a painful sensation of war, seems to be on the verge. Therefore, the plot lines, the video sequence and the atmosphere of the film are felt to some extent prophetic. An unfinished skyscraper, mysteriously uniting diametrically different heroes, becomes the personification of changes in the life of a country that has changed its mind about continuing global restructuring. The film, created according to the script of Krzysztof Zanussi, affects many pain points that are common to all, because it is so well received in the West.

The 9th Asia-Pacific Film Festival in Brisbane, Australia, honored Under Electric Clouds one of the most prestigious awards. Herman was recognized as the best director. Earlier, the winners of the Brisbane prizes were George Danelia and Nadezhda Markina for their role in “Elena” by Andrei Zvyagintsev. In the prize baggage of Herman, in addition to the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, there is also a “Silver Bear” received at the February “Berlinale” (Berlinale). The film is actively interested in distributors from different countries and the selection committee of prestigious film festivals.

“It is difficult to be a god” by Herman the father remains resonant even two years after his release on the screens. Having hit the British box office only at the end of the summer of 2015, he was on the list of the best films of the outgoing year from The Telegraph, awarded the highest rating. Recognizing it as a masterpiece, reviewers draw unexpectedly accurate analogies with Brueghel.

Elena Tanakova © Gallerix.ru