Babusya

Interesting movie, presenting a glimpse into another culture, undergoing massive changes, affecting everyone. Nostalgic, for it presents scenes from our past - cars, home interiors, different appliances. Nostalgic, for the lucky ones among us have been brought up with the aid of a grandma/grandpa - and we miss them a lot now. And of course - Russian - the view, the snow, the music and the people - such a great country, such a powerful life! I enjoyed the film for all possible reasons, it moved and stirred a lot. IMHO - especially for over 30s, for we all remember who helped and loved us in our upbringing years, and feel so lonely without them. It offered me a strange view into so many souls, all so common to our own.

I say "Babusya" at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam. It's quite an entertaining movie, but the story takes too long to be told. The acting is good, as is the Russian scenery. The direction is quite good.

The story of the film is its biggest flaw. It's nothing more than showing different relatives of "Granny", and how they all refuse to take her in. The movie is only 90 minutes long, but it seems so much longer because of this boring storyline.

because it is a touching picture of Russia because it is a good support to understand the East Europe. because the performance of Nina Shubina is admirable. a not complicated story. nothing spectacular. not judgment or verdicts. only testimony about an old woman and the relations with her relatives. and it is enough. a film with old special flavor. almost a fairy tale who reminds the solid walls who defines our lives. a film about love, miracle and forgiveness, sacrifice and wise choice. and an amazing character who gives answer to blindness of the other grace to her huge dedication and manner to discover life sense. must see it only for rediscover science of profound simplicity to be heart of existence.

Many people in the West have a difficult time understanding why Russian's seem to be so indifferent or even supportive of the slow erosion of freedom currently underway under Putin's regime. Some of this is due to the fact that Western media makes Putin's "reforms" seem much worse than they really are. However, much of this misunderstanding in the West is due, in large part, to the West's ignorance of all the troubles the peoples of the former USSR have had to suffer in the 1990's. These troubles have shaken up society so much in Russia, that stability is what matters now, more than anything else.

This film does a fairly good job of presenting much of the societal upheaval that took place during the 90's in Russia, by focusing on the relationships of one family that had to live through them. The film portrays traditional Russian (rural) culture and its conflicts with the new. At times the subject matter can be very funny and at other times downright heart breaking.

The acting, writing, and direction are all superb. This is one of those movies that I would say is a must see for anyone that is interested in Russian cinema.

"Granny" is the most famous drama of the original talented Russian director Lydiya Bobrova. The heartbreaking story of one grandmother who gave her whole life to children and grandchildren, and then, when she was no longer needed by anyone, she just quietly left ....