So I watched the Lilya 4-Ever a moment ago...

[Sorrow]

It was an interesting experience - like watching some kind of curious insect.
The movie was pretty amusing and sometimes a bit sad.
It is set in some post-apocalyptic country.

Rape scenes sucked and were rather silly due to the fact that they skipped the whole business - on the other hand sex scenes were pretty boring and ugly. I wish there were more scenes showing the girl crying or screaming, or something.

I suspect that it's supposed some stronger emotions, but I couldn't get too
sympathetic to it's main characters - they weren't human enough for me.
Maybe, if it would be about a civilized girl from a right social class, it would provoke some stronger emotions in me. After all, tragedies should be written about noble people, not scum of the Earth - noble people naturally attract compassion.

Anyway, the movie made me grateful that I was well born - in a correct country and family, that I have a computer, internet, home, electricity... - people here in The Dreadful Land of Po often forget that despite financial problems they belong to the wealthier part of mankind - I'm glad that people like those portrayed in that movie exist and that there's the whole Africa problem - it makes living a real life in real world more satisfying - more fulfilling.
It's good to know that one lives a better life than most of so called humanity.

I don't know, why, but I'm beginning to feel somewhat depressed ...

 

[Brother None]

Filmed in Lithuania, I think, but set in general "post Soviet country." It could just as well have been in Russia, Belarus or any third-rate post-soviet country.

Last time I watched Lilya 4-Ever I was a wreck for a week. I have it on DVD, but I barely dare to touch the disc. Whenever I do, it just rends my heart in two.

To me, Lilya 4-Ever is an intensely personal experience, having had close personal relationships with kids in that country who've been through similar experience as the titular heroin, though thankfully with happier endings. To me, it's a gritty, harsh, unforgiving punch in the stomach, a very honest film that never really let me go since I first saw it.

Here is a good review. I remember reading one that was dead on, though I can't find it now, stating that this movie is too unforgiving, too relentless, it doesn't let up and for most (Western) viewers, that's simply too much.

 

[Sorrow]

Filmed in Lithuania, I think, but set in general "post Soviet country." It could just as well have been in Russia, Belarus or any third-rate post-soviet country.

Heh...
It seems that "Post-Soviet countries" don't need atomic wars to be post-apoc .

Last time I watched Lilya 4-Ever I was a wreck for a week. I have it on DVD, but I barely dare to touch the disc. Whenever I do, it just rends my heart in two.

That's interesting that the movie produced such a different reactions in us.

To me, Lilya 4-Ever is an intensely personal experience, having had close personal relationships with kids in that country who've been through similar experience as the titular heroin, though thankfully with happier endings. To me, it's a gritty, harsh, unforgiving punch in the stomach, a very honest film that never really let me go since I first saw it.

Maybe that's the difference - I'm an elitarist and I deal mostly with fellow metalheads and fantasy/Sci-fi fans.
I distanced myself from such people like shown in the movie at the end of primary school and frankly, I no longer even see them as humans.

Which is pretty ironic, because I actually cried when I watched "Loving Annabel" yesterday, so I can't say I'm unable to feel strong feelings.

Here is a good review. I remember reading one that was dead on, though I can't find it now, stating that this movie is too unforgiving, too relentless, it doesn't let up and for most (Western) viewers, that's simply too much.

That's interesting. I've noticed that Westerners often don't have stomach for more drastic topics.
I've noticed that people from the East of Europe are a lot more comfortable with such themes, both in discussions and in art.
For example I've observed that in general Western people react to an idea of adding rape (for example) to a mod meets with emotional responses like "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU", while most of Eastern people will say that it's a great idea.

Maybe it has something to do with education...
The first obligatory book in primary school that I've read was about a sickly boy from a poor village family.
He was obsessed with playing on violin. But his family was poor and he couldn't have a violin.
He tried to construct his own, but it didn't sound good and he often was beaten for playing on it.
Then his sister got a cold. They tried to cure her by putting here into a baking oven.
She died from heat.
Some time later he tried to touch the violing of a local landlord. He got beaten to death for that.

I had to read stuff like this when I was 10.

 

[Zaron]

Heh. Think about that the next time you buy 'vegetables'...

On a serious note, it's a good flick. Very good, actually. I don't remember particulary much, though, 'cept for the raping scenes (I never forget raping scenes). I better re-watch it some time soon.

 

[Crowfoot]

Filmed in Lithuania, I think, but set in general "post Soviet country." It could just as well have been in Russia, Belarus or any third-rate post-soviet country.

I thought it was filmed in Estonia? Wikipedia (i know) mentions that Estonian currency is shown in one scene, but i can't say i noticed that when i watched it. It is vey good, though.

 

[fedaykin]

Filmed in Lithuania, I think, but set in general "post Soviet country." It could just as well have been in Russia, Belarus or any third-rate post-soviet country.

I thought it was filmed in Estonia? Wikipedia (i know) mentions that Estonian currency is shown in one scene, but i can't say i noticed that when i watched it. It is vey good, though.

Indeed, in Tallinn and Paldiski. I saw a few scenes of this film when it was shown on Estonian TV and wasn't particularly impressed. Bad acting. Maybe it was just those scenes, but I generally don't watch films that I immediately get a bad impression of.