Georgian auteur Otar Iosseliani's idiosyncratic ensemble films depict normal life, but blossom with an absorbing sense of absurdism. Winter Song is no exception, uniting people through the skull of a beheaded aristocrat to form a satire of revolution that is dynamic, surreal, and outright hilarious.
Winter Song
2015 [FRENCH]
Action / Comedy / Drama
Plot summary
Two old friends have urban adventures connected to the skull of an executed French aristocrat.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
October 09, 2020 at 05:35 AM
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
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Otar Iosseliani
Awful, just awful
Possibly the most boring film I have ever seen. Not funny, the camera person appeared to trip up regularly as they were moving around and I have no idea what the story was. It could easily have been something a high school art student put together, such was the quality. The parts I think were meant to be funny were dull and predictable. The acting was terrible, at one point a woman took a drink from a hip flask but didn't tilt it as she lowered it, clearly showing there was nothing in it. I have never seen so many people walk out of a film before (and I've seen some howlers) I think this was meant to have a deeper meaning but it was buried so deep as to be non existent. Just do whatever you can to avoid this.
Brilliant, just brilliant
One of the most enjoyable films I have seen this year. Iosseliani has a beautifully dry and intelligent sense of humour, which balances his astutely subtle socio-political observations perfectly.
Warm, life-affirming, empathetic, this is a film all students of the art of cinema (in fact, life in general) will (or should) relish. This is not a film for those with a lazy attitude to cinema, who expect films to do most the work for them. This is a film that requires that you bring your perception, humanity, and life-experience with you in order to fully enjoy its understated riches.
The acting was understated and charming, full of playful sight gags. Alas, the film may be difficult for some. A number of people simply gave up at the screening I attended and walked out - probably for the best – and at the end the audience gave a collective moan. Evidently, the fullness of Iosseliani's art sailed passed them, which is pity because they sat through but entirely missed a treat from one of the great artists of world cinema. Do whatever you can to see this superb gem.