Like Wotan I've now seen Sputnik.
I watched this Russian movie on Netflix last night and I really enjoyed it. I was excited beforehand and that doesn't happen often nowadays. The last time was probably Alien Covenant.
Alien is a good cue to start discussing Sputnik. It has been called a Russian Alien but the nickname doesn't do it justice and certainly ignores the very unique character of this film. After all, being Russian, it was never going to look like an American flick.
I shan't be spoiling anything here though, as its still a film to watch. I can say that its a creature feature set in the 1980's Soviet Union. The Cold War is everywhere and time's are grim.
In fact the starkly bleak look of the Cold War interiors are as dominant a feature of the movie as the shockingly awful beast slithering its way through them.
If you have seen the TV series Chernobyl then you will know what I mean about the almost empty Soviet interiors and entire townscapes for that matter. There is a sparseness that's hard to fathom.
I suppose actually rather than Alien or Prometheus Sputnik has more in common with the American fantasy film The Shape of Water, which is located in equally industrial lab settings. Maybe the space flick Life a little too. Sputnik is no kids' film so forget ET. Its a gory movie like Alien.
Comparisons aside though, Sputnik is well worth a watch. I liked it a lot and has whet my appetite for more Soviet sci-fi. In the meantime I may return to Chernobyl and re-watch that.
Have you seen Sputnik?
Did not know there was a movie out called Sputnik! This sounds promising. Dubbed, or subtitles, or spoken in English? Anyways, thanks for the heads up, must give it a peek. Soviet SF is terrific - ever see Planeta Bur?
ReplyDeleteNot seen it Zigg but heard of it. One to watch I reckon too! Sputnik is subbed.
DeleteFor once I've seen every movie you mention.
ReplyDeleteThey're all rather grim, but the scariest is Chernobyl because the 'monster' is REAL in that one.
Yes, Chernobyl is grimsville Mish I agree. An amazing series, which captured a terrible event and its cover up. The actors were excellent. I would like to see it again. Have toy seen Edge of Darkness with Bob Peck, an 80's series about the nuclear industry in the UK?
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