The Dry Valley2011

Wonderful movie, full of evocative cinematography, great and subtle acting, beautiful traditional costumes... a journey into the Russian country side, with a strong spiritual and folk feeling.

Alexandra Strelyanaya's The Dry Valley (2011) is a wonderful piece of filmmaking. From my meager readings on Russian history, this film quite accurately portrays rural Russian life in the 19th Century. There is no solid storyline in this film. It might best be placed in the "slice of life" category of cinematic taxonomy. This film is like an historical snap shot, or a portrait of life in a certain place, and at a certain time. The costumes, settings, and props were well done. The cinematography is particularly stunning, from wide shots of the vast Russian landscape, to close, intimate shots of the interiors of buildings. It's a very engaging film, if you can first accept for yourself that this is the way the Russian people lived for most of their history. If not, then you will find yourself very depressed while viewing this film.

Another bizarre Russian movie. Even the Russians I know don't like it...

"Masterpiece"

somewhat abstract but consuming Vodka while watching might enhance the experience.

Beautiful-looking film, but a bit self-consciously weird and opaque for my taste.

Very good film making. Why does one choose to make this film? It is more than simply a slice of

life. Poverty, dependence, superstition and tragedy. A story fomenting justification for elimination

of the Serf System, and eventual revolution. The West reviled Communism, but out of such widespread misery, and a culture entirely absent any history of self governance, a utopian, intelligentsia driven

ideology was quite logical, and reasonable. One may debate politics, but not the course of history.

Amazing work of Art. You can sense how, without the distractions of the modern world, people in the 19th century, particularly rural people, experienced the natural world and the world of their emotions on a deeper, more intense level. Bravo. Gorgeous filmmaking, though, of course, not for people looking for Game of Thrones (not that there's anything wrong with that) or an action movie.

What a beautiful and entrancing experience. A slice of rural Russian life, full of hardship and magic. The photography is stunning and I enjoyed the slow pace, totally pulling you in the loneliness and vast landscapes. Highly recommend.

This painting, uh film- is a beauty to watch!

very revealing in terms of the conditions of the people living in Russia in those times, especially the rural peasants as well as their masters. It gave a hint of the cruelties for both peasant and master.