Good Soviet Era film or propaganda?

[deValcourt]

Has anyone ever seen or even heard of the 1979 film Siberiade? It keeps popping up in my email as a suggested movie from Amazon. They emphasize that it is now the "original and uncut" version which makes me think the censors may have cut it up a bit. And frankly, the title sounds more like a refreshing beverage than a romantic WWII film. However, according to the cover it was awarded the "Special Jury Prize" at Cannes (when? I have no idea).

Phillip

[Auke]

I watched it a few years ago. It was fine, but I'm not a big fan of Soviet cinema. I don't even recall what it was all about. A friend of mine loved it though, comparing it to Idi I Smotri with a Giorgio Moroder-style soundtrack.

Ow, I do recall seeing medals.

[Jeffrey Meffert]

I've seen it. It's ok...a bit long but basically a soap opera set in what was to become the siberian oil fields. Give it a shot. Interesting characters and touched by history from tsarist times to oil boom

[travel-north]

Here's a fair list of Soviet movies: IMDb: The Best of Soviet Union/Russian Cinema - a list by KEReisenbuk

I personally recommend The Diamond Arm for good old Soviet humour

[deValcourt]

Update: I got Siberiade but have yet to get through the first disc without falling into a stupor. It could be all the cough and cold medicine, but it doesn't seem to hold my attention very well - certainly not like The Master and Margarita which is about five times as long. I guess I haven't been in the right mood to watch this kind of movie yet.

Phillip