If - as likely - unfamiliar with the nation's book on which this is based
Since:
Typical in its way of Russian style of long, languid, seemingly do nothing shots and prolonged portentousness - almost photographically still in some shots of the characters involved* - yet out of which come some gorgeous painterly (sorta T. Malick) like countryside tableaux: in one mesmerising instant, involving a bride opining on her future, seemingly only natural light lit by her surrounding fellow flamelight holding women, is simply superb and reminiscent of Peter Greenaway's natural light treatments e.g.
In a similar candlelit set up in his the 'Draughtman's Contract'. Then soon after you get an astonishing dark into light effect almost a la Lynch in 'Lost Highway' which with that also being reminiscent of the well worn horror genre trope (it's behind you!), would there creepily thrill, as main actress Yana Esipovich** gently looms out of the darkness to answer her mistress. (**and being at age c. 21, yet portrays a far younger girl's naivete most believably.)
Hence, throughout what is otherwise a rather mundane story of how the Nineteenth century rich / landed ("nobility") elite (the owner is in the military) contemptuously treated their serfs, you'll be treated to some beautifully naturally lit shots, *in which some well chosen 'faces of character' - no doubt selected deliberately so by director Alexsandra, rather than for any acting - as oft seem cast to remain still and/or impassive, plus with their being also costumed pretty well too, in all their drabness.
Slow, meandering, but still, overall, visually delightful.
- (as adapted by the director, Alexsandra Srelyanaya) - might be better to
Since:
Typical in its way of Russian style of long, languid, seemingly do nothing shots and prolonged portentousness - almost photographically still in some shots of the characters involved* - yet out of which come some gorgeous painterly (sorta T. Malick) like countryside tableaux: in one mesmerising instant, involving a bride opining on her future, seemingly only natural light lit by her surrounding fellow flamelight holding women, is simply superb and reminiscent of Peter Greenaway's natural light treatments e.g.
In a similar candlelit set up in his the 'Draughtman's Contract'. Then soon after you get an astonishing dark into light effect almost a la Lynch in 'Lost Highway' which with that also being reminiscent of the well worn horror genre trope (it's behind you!), would there creepily thrill, as main actress Yana Esipovich** gently looms out of the darkness to answer her mistress. (**and being at age c. 21, yet portrays a far younger girl's naivete most believably.)
Hence, throughout what is otherwise a rather mundane story of how the Nineteenth century rich / landed ("nobility") elite (the owner is in the military) contemptuously treated their serfs, you'll be treated to some beautifully naturally lit shots, *in which some well chosen 'faces of character' - no doubt selected deliberately so by director Alexsandra, rather than for any acting - as oft seem cast to remain still and/or impassive, plus with their being also costumed pretty well too, in all their drabness.
Slow, meandering, but still, overall, visually delightful.