Beanpole

Directed by Kantemir Balagov

Release Year: 2019
Running time: 137
Country: Russia
Language: In Russian with English subtitles
Subjects:
$9.98 - Classroom Rights
MSRP: $19.95
$349.00 - With PPR
$499.00 - With DSL
$499.00 - With DSL and PPR
MSRP: $599.00
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Directed by: Kantemir Balagov

In post-WWII Leningrad, two women, Iya and Masha (astonishing newcomers Viktoria Miroshnichenko and Vasilisa Perelygina), intensely bonded after fighting side by side as anti-aircraft gunners, attempt to readjust to a haunted world. As the film begins, Iya, long and slender and towering over everyone—hence the film’s title—works as a nurse in a shell-shocked hospital, presiding over traumatized soldiers. A shocking accident brings them closer and also seals their fates. The 28-year-old Russian director Kantemir Balagov won Un Certain Regard’s Best Director prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival for this richly burnished, occasionally harrowing rendering of the persistent scars of war.

Reviews

"Critic’s Pick. Dazzling… a brilliantly told, deeply moving story about love... from the sensationally talented Russian director Kantemir Balagov."

- Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
 

“Ferocious and extraordinary. You often have to remind yourself to breathe.”

- Jessica Kiang, Variety
 

"Brilliant. Balagov is a fiercely individual and quite staggeringly accomplished talent."

- Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
 

“Bold and exacting. Feels damn-near radical.”

- Jordan Ruimy, The Playlist
 

"Achingly beautiful. Extraordinary performances and Roma-level production design elevate a brutal yet tender story of two women in post-war Leningrad. Recalls Cristian Mungiu's 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days."

- David Ehrlich, Indiewire
 

"One of the first essential cinematic works released in theaters this year... Beanpole [is] the astonishing sophomore feature effort of 28-year-old Russian director Kantemir Balagov, who utilizes color as artfully as any painter one can name."

- Matt Fagerhold, RogerEbert.com
 

“Visually resplendent.”

- Ben Croll, The Wrap
 

“Extraordinary.”

- Scott Tobias, NPR
 

Awards

Best Director – Un Certain Regard, Cannes Film Festival

 

Official Selection – New York Film Festival

 

Official Selection – Telluride Film Festival

 

Official Selection – Toronto International Film Festival

 

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