Film Reviews: January 2005 Archives

Koktebel is a classic piece of modern Russian cinema. Directed by both Boris Khlebnikov
and Aleksei Popogrebsky, the tale is of a father and son traveling on a shoe-string to try to reach Koktebel, a town in the Crimea now called Planerskoe.

The reasons for their leaving Moscow are not immediately obvious but en-route we learn enough about the duo's history and current character to glean what we need for the film to make sense.

Initially the film seems to be an excuse for some excellent cinematography and wonderful characterisation. As we follow the pair on their economic travels, with some interesting distractions along the way, we find ourselves drawn into the youngsters mind increasingly. This is quite a feat when you consider how little dialogue there is during the course of the movie, and whilst the pace of the film is methodical it draws the viewer in with its interesting visuals and slightly quirky nature.

Once again the acting is top notch, father and Son are played by Igor Csernyevics and Gleb Puskepalis respectively, pulling the story together in a quietly competent way. We learn that in some ways the son is more mature in nature than his father, and yet they both have much to learn from each other.

**** (out of 5)