It is, however, a criminally underseen one, most likely because of where and when it was made more on that later. Though the films visuals and content may be too much for some viewers, those brave enough to sit through it will find it an engrossing study of warfare through the point of view of a moldable mind. Considerably more well known than the novel its based on complete monster. Klimov so directly communicates that surreal, altered state, when one fights to survive in a manmade universe of terror, that this film resonates far beyond its own historic setting. Katie mitchell introduces come and see bfi youtube. Heres what the critics have to say about this soviet masterpiece. The german armys primary initiative in every village it encountered was to round up all partisans, shoot them, burn the village to the ground, and then move on. When florya comes upon the portrait of hitler in the mud, an impulse to shoot the picture overcomes. Come and see,elem klimov s legendary 1985 antiwar film, can forget the horrors at its climax. Elem klimovs 1985 come and see, andrei tarkovskys 1962 ivans childhood, alexei germans 1971 trial on the road, to name but three, all unforgettable, harrowing visions. Descending on a small town with his unit, the obersturmfuhrer rounds up the entire populace in a church and gives them an ultimatum. It s only been around for a year and a bit, but i think the dissolve is well on its way to becoming one of the best film sites ever.
With the restoration and rerelease of elem klimovs underappreciated war epic come and see 1985, be reel steels itself this week to revisit a film famous for its brutal portrayal of the nazi invasion of modernday belarus. Mar 05, 2020 while the brutality of war is a topic thats been shown on the big screen time and time again, there are few if any films quite like come and see. Additionally, it has no big stars or familiar faces to speak of, and no. This 2nd americanized version is essentially the same as corman s first version, but retold with a parallel viewpoint of the telepathic venusian women, whose god a large pterosaurlike flying creature is killed by the earth men, and includes an. Shepitkto passed away in 1979 following a car accident that killed her and four of her colleagues, and this film acts as a profound love letter to a major talent who went away too soon. His analysis is referenced in the pbs series pov s brochure p. Come and see, the most surreally devastating of war films, remains a. In keeping with klimovs apparent objective to create as powerful a film as possible, the footage at the conclusion of come and see effectively concentrates the scope of the war, rather than broadly relating the themes of floryas experience. Europa europa is one of several films to focus on youth in nazioccupied europe other notable titles include jan nemecs demanty noci diamonds of the night, 1964 and elem klimovs idi i smotri come and see, 1985 but the film it perhaps resembles most is louis malles lacombe, lucien 1974. What are some of the best websitessources for film analysis. As effectively antiwar as movies can be, come and see is a harrowing odyssey through the worst that humanity is capable of, directed with bravura intensity by elem klimov. Moscow on the hudson the current the criterion collection. I think i actually prefer klimov s wife s larissa jefimowna schepitko last film, the ascension, which is also a ww ii film but a more quiet and introspective one.
However the movie doesnt hold up as well in memory for me it s a powerful expierence but not so much fodder for thought. His analysis is referenced in the pbs series povs brochure p. Free for educational use education resource guide to film analysis page 9 explain. Elem klimovs devastating chronicle of world war ii, come and see, is back on the big screen in a new restoration. As nazi forces encroach on his small village in presentday belarus, teenage flyora aleksei kravchenko, in one of the screens most searing depictions of anguish since renee falconettis. After years of running into troubles with his countrys film authorities, mr. Whether its film, music or literature, there seems to be this incredible quality to. The last film by shepitko before her tragic death in a car accident at the age of 41, the ascent is a miracle of filmmaking, a perfect synthesis of. So you certainly couldnt call wayne wangs chan is missing an authoritative, timeless picture of what it means to be chineseamerican. Klimovs last feature, come and see idi i smotri, 1985, is considered to be one of the greatest films about war ever made. Come and see 1985 elem klimov theatrical trailer on vimeo.
Its only been around for a year and a bit, but i think the dissolve is well on its way to becoming one of the best film sites ever. Mar 03, 2016 klimovs last feature, come and see idi i smotri, 1985, is considered to be one of the greatest films about war ever made. Pages in category films directed by elem klimov the following 5 pages are in this category, out of 5 total. Director elem klimov on come and see 1985 by trav bickle. Released in 1985 to critical acclaim, elem klimovs come and see is not an underrated film those who see it are quick to recognize its excellence. In reality, some of the scenes will be stronger and more. The terrible central event of come and see, which takes up about a quarter of the 2hour, 22minute soviet movie now at the bleecker street cinema, is the burning of a byelorussian village by. Come and see 1985 elem klimov theatrical trailer on. Sep 05, 2014 released in 1985 to critical acclaim, elem klimovs come and see is not an underrated film those who see it are quick to recognize its excellence.
In my humble opinion, no other film has ever portrayed the horrors of war as effectively as elem klimov s come and see. Come and see, elem klimovs 1985 masterpiece of hallucinatory realism, was originally conceived under the title kill hitler, and with good reason. Thus he pairs two scenes depicting photography of the combatants, both of which incorporate the film s hapless protagonist, flor. Come and see, elem klimovs nightmarish portrayal of the nazi invasion of soviet byelorussia, has influenced many a war film since its release. I still do think it s a great film though, make no mistake. Come and see, elem klimovs nightmarish portrayal of the nazi invasion of soviet byelorussia, has influenced many a war film since its release in. Framing the unframeable graham fuller on come and see. Over the years, elem klimov s monolithic come and see 1985 has gradually evolved from much coveted cult object long available in the states as a color faded dvd from kino video to acknowledged standardbearer for the proverbial uncompromised antiwar film and the citizen kane of hallucinatory holocaust nightmares. Nazi atrocities take center stage in elem klimov s unflinching, recently restored masterpiece. Come and see, the last and most notable film made by the former soviet director elem klimov, is another fusion of popular and vanguard styles, albeit put to more civicminded use. While the brutality of war is a topic thats been shown on the big screen time and time again, there are few if any films quite like come and see. May 15, 2015 director laszlo nemess film has the power of elem klimovs come and see which surely inspired its final sequence and perhaps of lajos koltais fateless.
Ive always thought that the bestthat is, the most uncannily engrossing and upsettingwar movies have been those made by the russians. A harrowing exploration of war and the meaning of human. It is also deepened by the echoes between the painted bird and elem klimovs come and see 1985, a famous soviet film about the nazi rapine of belarussian countryside. May, 2015 elem klimovs gruelling war film come and see 1985 examines the nazi occupation of belarus with unflinching honesty. Ideally, all of the scenes will work together towards the unity of the film. Feb 18, 2010 matthew i believe that helping a student think like a director is really not as bad as you might think.
Set in 1943 belarus and based on a book by ales adamovich and janka bryl the former of whom cowrote the screenplay with klimov, the film follows the. Two other repeated elements of the film s visual design serve not only a structural function but also as selfreflexive reminders of klimov s invitation to come and see. This 1985 film from russia is one of the most devastating films ever about anything, and in it, the survivors must envy the dead. This is come and see 1985 elem klimov theatrical trailer by drkmid on vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. Elem klimov follows a young boy, florya alexei kravchenko, during the 1943 nazi invasion of byelorussia, a soviet republic of 80,000 square miles located on the western border of russia. After finding an old rifle, a young boy joins the soviet resistance movement against ruthless german forces and experiences the horrors of world war ii. Elem klimovs boundarypushing satires the current the. I am saying this just to warn those of you who havent seen this film that it really is a heavy watch. A restoration of this masterpiece opens today at new yorks film forum, introducing new audiences to its devastating tale of a teenage boy who joins the soviet resistance in. Come and see is an unforgettable fever dream of wars.
No one would ever make the mistake of saying that about elem klimov s come and see. No one who has watched come and see, elem klimovs legendary 1985 anti war film, can forget the horrors at its climax. It wouldnt even be true to call it say it was a representative depiction of what it meant to. One of the key ways this is achieved is through perspective. Jul 12, 2016 come and see charts a young boys journey in the german occupation of belorussia and the horrific treatment of people as the nazis cleared the countrysides small villages.
The two fundamental types of cinematic point of view are omniscient and restricted. Jan 10, 2019 an antiwar film for the ages returns to theaters. Alexei kravchenko, olga mironova, lyubomira lautsyavichyus, vladas bagdonas, yurs lumiste, kazimir rabetsky there is a scene in come and see in which the lead character florya returns to his familys. Director katie mitchell explains why she was sickened by the films. Come and see appears on many lists of films considered the best.
This obviously dark and difficult subject matter which could easily be handled badly is handled with a level of care unprecedented in other war films. Sep 14, 2016 its hard to think of anything as susceptible to the effects of time and social change as identity politics. Klimov has said that come and see is an antiwar movie, antiwar in general and not specifically the german one despite the sources of the movie, and the original title being kill hitler so take that as you will. Aug 09, 2018 an antiwar film for the ages returns to theaters. Jul 18, 2016 come and see, elem klimov s nightmarish portrayal of the nazi invasion of soviet byelorussia, has influenced many a war film since its release in 1985. Klimovs film has consistently been cited as one of the best, if not the best, film about the war ever made.
Film theres no other war movie as horrifying, or vital. The terrible central event of come and see, which takes up about a quarter of the 2hour, 22minute soviet movie now at the bleecker street cinema, is the. In 2008, come and see was placed at number 60 on empire magazine s the 500 greatest movies of all time in 2008. Elem klimovs emotionally shattering 1985 masterpiece returns to theaters. F ew bigscreen depictions of world war ii have brought its atrocities to life with the brutality and cinematic ingenuity of come and see, the legendary final film by soviet director elem klimov. From the opening shot of unbrokena gorgeous view of b24 liberator bombers flying in blue sky and dawntinged cloudsdirector angelina jolie and her ace cinematographer, roger deakins, prepare the audience for an epic. Watching the film in its entirety sets up the context for each of the scenes. Come and see 1985 is a descent into hell on earth the like of which i have never seen. Anatoliy solonitsyn, ivan lapikov, nikolay grinko, nikolay sergeev i have always had a deep fascination with russian art. Also included were some minor scenes from another russian sf film, mikhail karyukov s nebo zovyot. Directed by elem klimov and starring aleksei kravchenko and olga mironova, its screenplay written by elem klimov and ales adamovich is based on the 1978 book i am from the fiery village original title. May 01, 2016 we first meet saul emerging from incongruously leafy woodlands nemes has cited elem klimovs 1985 come and see as a touchstone, shepherding new arrivals into the gas chambers where they will.
K, by diverse arts and film blogs and websites, as well as by americas most powerful critic, roger ebert of the chicago suntimes and several television. Theres no other war movie as horrifying, or vital, as come and see. The final analysis derives from klimovs 1985 film come and see, unpacking the use of realism in arguably creating a lense which does everything within its power to avoid the tourist gaze perspective through its use of first hand encounters within war, using an extensively long frame and use of horrific visuals and sounds, analyzed. Elem klimov s come and see 1985 it is, of course, impossible for cinema to accurately portray the horrors of life during wartime, though that never seems to stop directors from trying. Their depiction of the dangers inside a b24 will stun even viewers whove already devoured laura hillenbrands compulsively involving and.
Its said that you cant make an effective antiwar film because war by its nature is exciting, and the end of the film belongs to the survivors. Come and see is violent, brutal, horrific, and profound. A devastatingly immersive experience that pulls you into the chaos and destruction of conflict, the film delivers harrowing emotion alongside thoughtprovoking and deeply powerful. This film would be an achievement for anyone, but for a firsttime feature director it is stunning something to compare with elem klimovs come and see. The stanislavskian acting techniques are seen to work like a domesticating translation.
The film as a whole will serve as a point of departure for the analysis of the individual scenes. Elem klimov, best known for directing the harrowing wwii film come and see, made this moving short documentary a year after the death of his wife, larisa shepitko. With aleksey kravchenko, olga mironova, liubomiras laucevicius, vladas bagdonas. It s said that you cant make an effective antiwar film because war by its nature is exciting, and the end of the film belongs to the survivors. S oviet filmmaker elem klimov is best known in the west for his last movie, come and see 1985, a harrowing childseye view of world war ii set in a scorchedearth belarusian countryside plagued by bombing, mutilation, and massacre. Thus the subsequent problems of a blind assumption that democracy is the best way to run the place, and that on. Come and see, elem klimov s 1985 masterpiece of hallucinatory realism, was originally conceived under the title kill hitler, and with good reason. Elem klimovs come and see 1985 since i am frequently watching films, the idea of occasionally recommending only one seems almost peculiar, especially given how many have entranced me since the days i cut political science courses as a freshman at ucla to spend 12 hour days in the melnitz film archives.
The nameless young obersturmfuhrer is an iceeyed nazi who stands out as the most inhuman member of his sadistic ss troop. Come and see, for me, is also remarkable because it is a testament to the power. Released in 1985 and directed by elem klimov in the erstwhile soviet union, the film was made to commemorate the red armys victory over nazi germany in wwii, though come and see is neither triumphalist or propagandistic. In my humble opinion, no other film has ever portrayed the horrors of war as effectively as elem klimovs come and see. Come and see is a 1985 belarusian antiwar film filmed in the soviet union. A stark, relentless and horrific portrayal of the german occupation of belarus during the second world war, come and see is told from the perspective of a 16yearold russian partisan, florya alexei kravchenko. His writing and criticism has been lauded in the mainstream and alternative press, nationally and internationally, in the far east and the u. Come and see this widely acclaimed film from soviet director elem klimov is a stunning, sensesshattering plunge into the dehumanizing horrors of war. Feb 16, 2015 come and see directed by elem klimov like setting a light meter in one s imagination of war, come and see illuminates deprivation, brutality, hopelessness. This is possibly the hardest film to watch at points that ive ever seen, not because its bad but just because of the sheer weight of the events unfolding onscreen. The barn burning sequence is one of the most unsettling scene ever put to film. Elem klimovs come and see 1985 it is, of course, impossible for cinema to accurately portray the horrors of life during wartime, though that. Movie come and see 1985 31st october 2019 31st october 2019 obergruppenfuhrer ss 2443 views 6 comments movie, world war 2 during wwii, a belarusian boy is thrust into the atrocities of war, fighting with a hopelessly unequipped soviet.
Hitlers plan was to basically clear 80% of the russian population off the map so that germans could come in and resettle the area afterwards. An antiwar film for the ages returns to theaters the. Rather, come and see is an artful response to tarkovskys original work and, on a broader. On march 6, janus films new 2k restoration of soviet director elem klimovs 1985 world war ii drama come and see will open at the laemmle monica film center. The position from which a film presents the actions of the story. It s tough to amply describe the film s relentlessly brutal pleasures, but those who have seen films like andrei tarkovsky s ivan s childhood, robert bresson s mouchette or elem klimov s come and. Though the film s visuals and content may be too much for some viewers, those brave enough to sit through it will find it an engrossing study of warfare through the point of view of a moldable mind. We dont have to like or respect the entertainment community if we dont want to but, that does not mean that their planning strategies and techniques are not valuable. I see the philippines, i see wwi, i see the balkans, i see iraq i see war. A cult item among connoisseurs of extremity, the film has been cited as a precedent for the more. Not so in elem klimovs 1985 film come and see, in which relentless. Klimovs film deserves to be ranked alongside pretty much any pillar of the genre you. No one would ever make the mistake of saying that about elem klimovs come and see.
1330 1170 1226 802 1592 1081 702 1147 757 1426 1319 1133 1587 275 1131 791 67 260 978 1068 1288 444 993 644 1441 309 916 427 594 574 570 29 106 1639 398 883 887 1442 150 906 418 1134 173 238 1024 1085