Burnt by the Sun

This . . . was heartbreaking.

While I realize the significance of the film as showing the disillusionment, and that people were put off by the fireball (which I likened to a form of dream sequence- it didn't detract me from the movie- I just felt it embodied coming chaos), what struck me most was the relationship between Nadya and Kotov.

It could be that I have a close relationship with my father, or that Kotov very much physically and characteristically resembled my "father figure" at my old waitressing job (even down to military background). In any case, the relationship between Nadya and Kotov really got to me. I felt really bad for Kotov. I really don't think it was his intent to send Mitya off, in fact the uncle(?) even told Dmitri that Marusia waited for him, and it wasn't til over a year later that Kotov started courting her. While I did empathize with Dmitri, I found myself caring more for Kotov. What got me most, was the whole situation with the car: Nadya bold and innocent, wants to drive the car--and in doing so, she is unknowingly participating in her father's death. The had the shots to Kotov's face, and Nadya driving, and I had tears just streaming. Actually, it started when he said he wanted to play soccer with his final two hours. I was just awestruck with how calmly he handled that situation.

Onto happier observations, though (or at least different ones)-

The importance of community was again shown, in the situation with the wheat. The babushka with the stick said "You can crush me, but not the wheat."

Music was obviously very important to these people. Kotov and Marusia dance at the beginning, Dmitri plays piano while everyone can-cans, he teaches Nadya to tap dance, and then Kotov does a militaristic step-dance. Speaking of Dmitri and the piano, when he first came in, in disguise, I was slightly weirded out...and then he sat down and played Vesti la Giubba from Pagliacci- at that point I didn't care if he was a creep, he won me over then and there.

There was the reference "a colonal looks good with horns"- I can only assume Kirik was referencing cuckholding.

I also enjoyed the insult that referenced Switzerland: "You're like Switzerland, well-fed and apathetic."

I also found it ironic that Dmitri succeeded where Marusia failed as far as killing himself. She's the one who mentioned how to correctly slit her wrists.

Again, I realize Dmitri was wronged, and I didn't see him as a villain. I guess I did kind of see him as a coward, but not a villain. I just felt so much more for Kotov.