Film: How I Ended This Summer
Cast includes: Grigory Dobrygin (Chernaya Molniya), Sergei Puskepalis (The Stroll)
Director: Aleksei Popogrebsky (Roads to Koktebel)
Genre: Drama/Psychological Thriller (2010) Russian with subtitles
In brief: Day to day life at the Chukotka Arctic Weather Station changes very little from year to year. The landscape is severe, intimidating and hostile. Maybe that’s why Sergei is so well suited to the job of running the station… you could describe him the same way. It isn’t easy for Sergei to put up with Pavel, his summer assistant. Pavel combats the tedium with diversions, such as playing video games and listening to his MP3 player. At the completion of every task, Pavel is sure to get a blustery rebuke from Sergei. That’s why it seems so out of character when Pavel overhears Sergei’s occasional correspondence with his wife. Her letters aren’t delivered… instead they’re read over the short-wave radio when Sergei calls in to file daily reports.
Sergei’s only diversion is fishing for Atlantic trout. Before leaving for a 3-day fishing trip in South Lagoon, he gives Pavel his instructions… set the alarm to wake up in 3 hours, always carry the rifle (and don’t forget the shells), radio in the readouts, and “no need to tell them I’m away.” If they ask to talk to Sergei, Pavel is to make up an excuse. Given the sameness of every day in this frozen landscape, Pavel should be able to handle things. But when the unexpected happens, Pavel not only messes things up… his fear of answering to Sergei cause him to make things worse… and worse.
Take a sweater when you see this one. You’ll be shivering as you watch the story unfold in this frigid Siberian outpost. The film has the look of a documentary as it shows us Pavel’s day-to-day existence negotiating the challenges of an unforgiving environment and an unforgiving boss. This film has already won international awards for acting and cinematography, and you might find yourself wondering how they ever managed to get it made, given the logistics. The story isn’t so much about surviving the elements as it is about surviving the fear of Sergei’s distrust. This station has been Sergei’s life. In his opinion, Pavel is just a “tourist writing an essay.” Maybe this is a clash between the old Russia and the new.
3 popped kernels
Mounting tension makes this one more than just a man-against-the-elements story
Popcorn Profile
Primary Audience: Grown-ups
Gender Appeal: Any audience
Distribution: Art house
Mood: Somber
Tempo: In no hurry
Visual Style: Unvarnished realism
Character Development: Intense
Language: Russian
Social Significance: Thought provoking
