i don't know where to start with this movie. filmed in sephia color, followed with card-by-card narration sends the message about the time movie is located in. it's just about before the wwI in tzarist russia.
the characters and dialogues reflect something known from the russian classical literature, the treatment of
disability, especially physical as something freaky. the main characters are sort to speak, freaks: siamese twins, an epileptic "porn magnate", his retarded sidekick, and a blind woman. the other characters are weak, like lisa and the photographer, or just greedy, like both the maids. in the sub-text, this movie has something to tell about russian typical dictatorship, and times that are about to turn because of decadence.
soundtrack is also notable, filled with russian classical music from the XIX century that only pumps the tension in this heavy film.
if you have the stomach for all the perversion and that gloomy atmosphere, try to find the movie. otherwise, avoid it. it's not for everyone.
September 15, 2011
