Father and Son

Director: Aleksandr Sokurov
2004
Starring: Andrey Schetinin, Aleksey Neymyshev, Alexander Razbash, Fedor Lavrov, Marina Zasukhina

Acclaimed filmmaker Alexander Sokurov (RUSSIAN ARK) brings us this sensual study of the bond between a strapping Russian father (Andrey Schetinin) and his soldier son (Aleksey Neymsyshev). The film has a strongly emotional through-line that carries us, building and growing. It's a parable about humanity, lovingly examining how men grow and change in the way they interact, referring intriguingly to the way men coming home from war often seem like different people altogether. There are also some rather unsettling intervals that deal with rivalries, jealousy, dares and even violence. But above and under and through it all, this is a fable about the indescribable love between a father and a son--as close as two men can be and yet constantly diverging. Absolutely beautiful.