Voditel dlya Very (2004)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Pavel Chukhraj

Writer:

Pavel Chukhraj (writer)

Release Date:

29 July 2004 (Kazakhstan)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A General, who had sent for a cadet from the Kremlin Guard to work as his personal driver, decided to marry him to his physically disabled daughter

Awards:

7 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Igor Petrenko	...	Viktor
Yelena Babenko	...	Vera (as Alyona Babenko)
Bogdan Stupka	...	General Serov
Andrey Panin	...	Adjutant Saveliev
Yekaterina Yudina	...	Maid Lida
Marina Golub	...	Zinaida
Valeri Barinov	...	General Klimenko
Natalja Gudkova	...	Anzhela
Alisa Grebenshchikova	...	Red
Dimitri Vysotsky	...	Cuban comrade Rojes
Aleksei Zelensky	...	1st Detective
Aleksandr Mezentsev	...	Hospital Doctor
Vladimir Koval	...	Gynecologist
Sergei Udovik	...	2nd Detective
Aleksandr Shavrin	...	Forensic Pathologist

Also Known As:

Водитель для Веры (Russia)
A Driver for Vera (International: English title)
Vodij dlya Viry (Ukraine)

Runtime:

105 min | Czech Republic:114 min (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)

Country:

Russia | Ukraine

Language:

Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Filming Locations:

Crimea, Ukraine

Company:

Channel 1+1

Trivia:

The film was the Official selection from Ukraine for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film 2005, but the Academy did not consider it for nomination because of Russia's large inputs in the movie production.

Quotes:

Vera: Do you love me?
Viktor: I do.
Vera: Sometimes I think that you don't.
Viktor: So what, what should I do to make you believe? Jump from a rock? Shoot myself?
Vera: Just swear... swear in the name of mother. Well! You swear?
Viktor: I swear!
Vera: In the name of mother?

I still can't sleep....

This is the best movie I've seen over years. I am not sure if it's available on DVD in English, but if it is - don't even hesitate a minute! Everything is perfect about this movie, the cinematography, the music, and most importantly the drama that builds up with the very first seconds.... The tension that builds up is immense and holds you until the very last second. There are so many layers in this movie... The human tragedy and ocean of emotions, love and hatred that unfolds on the screen and all the fabula is ruled by the powers that are not even present. Maybe I am too sentimental, but I was touched so deeply many times during the movie that I felt tears in my eyes several times during it.

I saw this movie three days ago and still keep on thinking about it...

In my opinion this movie definitely should be released by Criterion and will go straight into 250 best movies of all time.

In my opinion it is unquestionably in top twenty. Truly, truly a masterpiece!