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Alexandra [2007] [DVD]

Galina Vishnevskaya , Vasily Shetvtsov , Alexander Sokurov    Parental Guidance   DVD
2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
Price: £11.78 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Alexandra [2007] [DVD] + Russian Ark [2003] [DVD] + The Sun [2004] [DVD]
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Product details

  • Actors: Galina Vishnevskaya, Vasily Shetvtsov
  • Directors: Alexander Sokurov
  • Format: PAL
  • Language: Russian
  • Subtitles: English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.78:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: PG
  • Studio: Artificial Eye
  • DVD Release Date: 12 Jan 2009
  • Run Time: 91 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B001L4I25E
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 57,542 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)

Reviews

Product Description

2007 film, directed by Alexsandr Sokurov, depicting the life of a group of Russian soldiers in war-torn Chechnya. Seen from the perspective of an old woman, the film explores family relationships in a masculine world full of violence, fear and death. Alexandra (Galina Vishnevskaya) travels to Chechnya to find her grandson (Vasily Shevtsov) whom she has not seen for seven years. Able, because of her age, to move apparently freely between the military and the civilian population, Alexandra discovers the everyday aspirations and motivations of characters on both sides of the conflict.

Product Description

United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: Russian ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Cast/Crew Interview(s), Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: Alexandra is a grandmother who has come to see her grandson, one of the Russian officers stationed in the Chechen Republic. In this male environment she discovers a new world, devoid of women, warmth and comfort where questions of life and death are decided. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Cannes Film Festival, ...Alexandra (2007) ( Aleksandra )

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 41 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece 4 April 2009
Format:DVD
Please ignore the 'lonely granny' review; this is quite simply one of the greatest films you will see. Sokurov allows for mystery and contemplation, but like Ozu, Sokurov is, I suppose, not for everyone. If Ozu's films are 'just about some boring Japanese family', then Alexandra can similarly be reduced to some misguided plot description. I'd say it's about what it means to be a soldier, what it means to not be a soldier, what it means to be a man, what it means to be a woman, what it means to be young, what it means to be old, what it means to be a human being. No answers, just a journey.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Modern Russian classic. 24 April 2013
By Mr. P. Johnson VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
I fail to see the argument in the various poor reviews here. So, as a disclaimer, if you do not like foreign films, subtitles, and moving, thoughtful works that do not feature action, love scenes, or well-known actors, then do not bother to watch this film. Please.
This Russian film stars 73 year old Galina Vishenevskaya, a famous opera singer, as the title character. Made in 2007, during the Second Chechen War, waged by the Russian government, against separatists in the Caucasus. Aleksandra is missing her grandson, Dennis, who is an army officer, serving on a remote base in this bleak, war-torn country. She resolves to visit him, despite her age and infirmities, and the logistical difficulties of travelling to a war zone. Taking the arduous train journey, she finally arrives, hot and dusty, at Dennis's camp. He makes her as comfortable as possible, given the basic amenities, and shows her around proudly, letting her sit in his armoured vehicle, and meeting the men of his unit, mostly young, and all homesick. When he has to go on a mission, she is able to wander around freely, and visits the nearby Chechen town, to buy goods for the young men not allowed to leave the base. She views both sides of this conflict, and worries for her grandson, who she may never see again. This is an understated performance, but one of great depth. Her skill, is in showing that she could be anyone and everyone's concerned grandmother, and it is this that is the glue that holds the whole film together.
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2 of 6 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Oddly disengaging 6 Jan 2012
Format:DVD
Grandma Alexandra (Galina Vishnevskaya) looks very fed up. She's got the whole of Mother Russia on her back - so is needing to walk much Great Suffering out of her tired legs.

She's gone to see Dennis (Dennis?!) her army officer grandson, where he's making war in the Chechen Republic. Whys she there? I mean, how credible is this? Why is she allowed to be there? Why is she allowed to wander around the front line faffing her fingers at the bored border guards? This situation seems like a contrived set-up of Sukurov's to facilely juxtapose women as nurturers against the bad boys (men) of war.

It's soon turned into one of those films where questioning plot plausibility becomes irrelevant - cus there is no plot. Nothing very interesting happens. And nothing very interesting is said. She gets shown around the dusty hot base, the dirty combat vehicles. Now she's examining their shiny equipment. She's brusque, dismissive. Seen it all, done it all. "All" meaning all the suffering already. All the suffering these bored boys are too insensitive - or desensitized - to suffer, with all this impersonalised shooting off of these weapons of destruction they do.

So she's wandering about the camp mumbling and muttering to herself like some grumpy old Mother Archetype. Its "Alexandra Nikolaevna" this and "Alexandra Nikolaevna" that (thought that only happened to characters in Tolstoy novels). Keeps needing to sit down cus tired. More than likely made tired; by the moral torpor shes witnessing - as accentuated by the drained out greeny gray the film is being filtered through.

"What do you actually want? I don't understand you" says Unit Commander. I don't understand her either. And its hard not to feel disengaged by all this gruff antipathy she's wearily trudging around the camp with. They can't help it - the poor lambs; they're just being soldiers. Making war and killing people is what soldiers do. Even if they are only little lads. If you don't like being there - go away!

And she's gone. Leaves as disgruntled/ crotchety/ lonely/ dismayed (take your pick) as she came. Mind you, there's been a big granny love-in at the train departure; reinforcing how instantly, easily, connective womenfolk can be together. Because they - the grannies, (whether Russian or Chechen) represent humankinds best, possibly - only - hope against war (I doubt Sukurov meant anything as trite as that - but its as much thought as i want to give this film for now)
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