Among Grey Stones

Film of tenderness, rage and sorrow. Felt every emotion, every shot, second and movement. The best possible introduction to Muratova I could get. Sincere laughter, tears and emptiness i felt throughout and after the movie. No soundtrack makes this movie a complete masterpiece.

"Today, a cat has eaten a bird. Is the cat evil?" "No, it is hungry. Go to sleep." "Does one feel pity for the birdie?" "One feels pity for the birdie and the cat."

This one was a little tough for me to warm up to, as it seemed a little scattered with all of its characters early on. There's such a powerful message of humanism in the story, however, and it grew on me. Rich or poor, we all die, and should be gentle in our judgements of others, the film seems to say. It's only when a boy actually connects with two kids from a homeless encampment that he begins feeling this. Compare this to his attitude when he first comes upon them, when he's lying perched like a lord on a wall and in response to a request for a bite of his apple, tosses the whole thing over his shoulder without deigning to look at the other boy. While the film is too drawn out and lags even at just 87 minutes, there are several fine visual moments, usually involving the little girl Marusya, and this is worth seeing.