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Title: Hard to Be a God (2013)
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Leonid Yarmolnik | ... | |
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Aleksandr Chutko | ... | |
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Yuriy Tsurilo | ... | |
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Evgeniy Gerchakov | ... | |
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Valentin Golubenko | ... |
Arata
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Leonid Timtsunik | ... |
Arima
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Natalya Moteva | ... |
Ari
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Nikita Strukov | ... |
Kusis
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Gali Abaydulov |
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Yuriy Ashikhmin | ... |
Rab
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Remigijus Bilinskas | ... |
Voin
(as Remigiyus Bilinskas)
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Valeriy Boltyshev | ... | |
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Vasiliy Domrachyov | ... |
vozchik Rumaty
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Lev Eliseev |
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Valeriy Guryanov | ... |
Monakh
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A group of scientists is sent to the planet Arkanar to help the local civilization, which is in the Medieval phase of its own history, to find the right path to progress. Their task is a difficult one: they cannot interfere violently and in no case can they kill. The scientist Rumata tries to save the local intellectuals from their punishment and cannot avoid taking a position. As if the question were: what would you do in God's place? Director's statement Aleksei wanted to make this film his entire life. The road was a long one. This is not a film about cruelty, but about love. A love that was there, tangible, alive, and that resisted through the hardest of conditions. Written by Svetlana Karmalita/Rome Film Festival
Beautifully shot in black and white, 'Hard to Be a God' presents a spectacular procession of grotesque medieval imagery. For nearly three hours, its characters battle, spit, fart, urinate and grimace, while bird droppings fall from the sky amidst a curtain of foul steam rising from the ground. This visual vocabulary is used insistently, relentlessly, like a mantra, to the point that it nearly becomes hypnotic. Throughout the entire time, I felt thankful for having been born in a different era. Nevertheless, the result, strangely enough, is a tasteful, even elegant, and superbly crafted product.
'Hard to Be a God' is inspired by the novel of the same title, by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (which I haven't read, but understand is more complex). Technically speaking, this is a science fiction story, but expect nothing like '2001: Space Odyssey' or 'Star Trek'. If anything, its aesthetics share more similarities with Andrei Tarkovsky's 1966 'Andrei Rublev', which is set in 15th century Russia. The plot goes something like this: In the future, a number of earthlings go to planet Arkanar to observe its culture, which is in a state identical to the Earth's during the Middle Ages. However, they are not allowed to teach the locals any progressive concepts that might help them reach their own Renaissance. At best, they can protect a few, specific Arkanarians who may be instrumental in the advancement of their society. Some of this is explained in a text at the start. The rest, one has to more or less guess, based on the sometimes disorienting action and sparse dialog. There is a lot to take in at once, so I believe a second viewing would be helpful.
The surreal parade of people fighting one another and marching through the mud like madmen is so overwhelming, that it is almost comical during some instances. But it's grim to see human beings reduced to pointless violence and physiological functions – even if they're Arkanarians! The visitors from Earth are more scientifically advanced, to the point that they are perceived by the locals as gods; but they despair as they confront the seemingly endless chaos. Thus, the title. The former are primitive, superstitious hordes from the Dark Ages, while the latter are false gods, lacking hope or divine inspiration. It's a sight to behold, but not exactly uplifting...
Director Aleksei German spent many years working on this elaborate production and died before completing it. His wife and son took over that task and finished it in 2013.