A great film directed by Pavel Lungin after the fall of Soviet Union.

Taksi-Blyuz (1990) directed by Pawel Lungin

A post Perestroika film like "Taksi-Blyuz" must be viewed in the context of Russia after 1990s.It is a landmark film in the history of Russian cinema.It speaks about an independent Russian state which might be a little difficult for some non Russian people to understand.It must be mentioned that it is not all an American Taxi Driver.The core issues of this film are masculinity,music and patriotism but still our hero grapples with numerous emotional conflicts.In today's modern day Russia,I am sure that so much has changed ever since it was made in 1990.The taxi is old in this film and decline of Russia is becoming a sore sight for natives as well as foreigners.There are many black markets where everything can be purchased.One such street vendor sells old stuff such as a saxophone,some old clothes. This is a short story of oppressed and oppressor.This film is not for you if you are expecting to watch a modern day Russia.Taxi Bluez is not a film about poverty but about all factors known for making people come to terms with poverty.Pavel Lungin has made his film with a tinge of sadness.It is a nice thing that women have a minor presence as most of them lack strong will power.Taxi Blues is a true perestroika film to be admired for its inherent Russianness.

Argentinian cinéaste Eliseo Subiela and his father wept inconsolably after watching this humanist masterpiece.

Ballada o Soldate (1959) directed by Grigori Chukrai

In the 1950s, 2 very critically acclaimed Russian films were made. The first film was "The cranes are flying" by Mikhail Kolotozov. It is true that it was a good film but it was more of a love story. If there is a film which all human beings must watch, it is "Ballad of a soldier" made by the great Russian cinéaste Grigori Chukrai. I still have vivid memories of this film, although I saw it in 1986 on India's only public television network called "Doordarshan".What I like the most about this film is that it has tremendous emotional power to move anyone regardless of that person's ideologies or beliefs. It talks of war without begging for kindness, mercy or pity. Such is the greatness of this masterpiece. In my opinion," Ballad of a soldier" is not only the greatest Russian film ever made, it is one of the greatest world cinema gems too. For those who have not yet seen it, one word of advice. Throw away all your Hollywood flicks and watch this humanist masterpiece. PS :10 out of 10 is a understatement. "Ballad of a soldier" would easily fetch 100 out of 10.

Realist attempt by a woman filmmaker : Search for a lonely woman's identity.

S lyubovyu.Lilya (2003) directed by Larisa Sadilova

In the past it was through the ageless writings of famous Russian writers like Tolstoy,Gorky,Chekov,Pushkin,Dostoyevski etc that the entire world got an idea of what a Russian identity is and at the same time how difficult it is to understand the Russian identity.In the modern world,it is through feature films and documentaries that viewers are forming an idea of the same inscrutable Russian identity. This particular film "With love, Lily" is a brave cinematographic attempt by Larissa Sadilova at revealing some finer aspects of hard to decipher identity of a Russian soul.This film is unique for being one of those rare films which talk of a woman protagonist leading a difficult life in a provincial town.This setting has been useful in unraveling one of the most terrible enemies of human existence : loneliness.In this film there is emotional turmoil too as due to lack of choice there are hardly any suitable partners for
women. Although the heroine would very much like to escape from the maze of hard life, owing to family obligations she cannot even contemplate a move in this regard."With love, Lily" is a sad film but it has its own share of light comical
moments which help in sustaining viewers' interest. strongly recommended for:all those keen on watching quality films from Russia as well as interested in finding out hidden facets of a Russian person's identity.

"The Return" heralded the resurgence of Russian cinema.

Vozvrashcheniye (2003) directed by Andrei Zvyagintsev

After the breakup of Soviet Union its cinema was in absolute doldrums. There was no recovery in sight and once in a while viewers craving for serious Russian cinema quenched their thirst through watching a couple of films like Sergei Bodrov's Prisoners of the mountains, Burnt by the Sun directed by Nikita Mikhalkov. The worldwide success of The Return is the most apt testimony to the fact that innovative film-making will always be welcomed no matter how difficult the market might be. Everything about this film is bathed in an aura of mysticism. Both the director and the cameraman have made real good use of expansive Russian landscape which heightens the film's suspense. This film is a veritable intellectual puzzle for the viewer as it leaves numerous unanswered questions. This is a positive trend as viewers have always been pampered into watching minor details by inexperienced filmmakers. This is a once in a lifetime experience which much be watched with at the end of one's breath attitude.