Burning Bush

Saw the first 160 minutes at Film Forum. Now hoping to get into Kandor to see the rest. It's brilliant. Brilliantly acted and directed. And who could do it better than a Polish director? The Poles have more experience with police oppression than anyone else and they make art of it!

Polish film director Agneiszka Holland works best with very little studio interference, as her marvelous In Darkness illustrates. But with Burning Bush, she surpasses even her latest triumphs. It's simply the most profound of political films-a masterpiece on many levels - Its overall concept, its brilliant acting, its stunning shaping of scenes and events, but most of all is sharp etching of character and its reflection of emotional depth. It also has an enormously effective music score, showing how silence, and just enough music can elevate a film.
Reflecting the same government opression as the German film, The Lives of Others, this film goes a lot further and is far more passionate. The scenes of protest and violence are riveting and exciting, but the determination of a few people to pursue justice in the face of overwhelming odds is galvainzing.
Yes, it's long, so plan to spend a couple of evenings. You can't do yourself a bigger favor....here's an important, vital masterpiece you need to treat yourself to.

Brilliantly written and performed account of the way a police state warps every facet of a society. Truth and justice can be destroyed so easily.

It was an interesting movie, and overall, quite a good one. I had a little trouble keeping track of the characters, and you should know that both lawyers and doctors are called Dr. (It took me over half the movie to figure that out.) I am still not sure if the police characters were the Czechs trying to keep the situation under control so the Russians would have no excuse to step in, or whether the police were working with the Russians.

Excellent.