D'Est (1993)

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This experimental documentary is a compendium of striking images of Eastern Europe and its citizens in transition, following the collapse of the so-called Cold War. Places as diverse as Baltic beaches, and Moscow's snow-covered streets vie for attention along with the citizens of these places as they wait in lines, march in military formation, or stand idle in the waiting rooms of train stations. There is no narration, and no clear point (except the idea of transitions) is indicated by the beautifully chosen, enigmatic imagery. Indeed, there is not even much musical accompaniment. Fans of director Chantal Akerman's aggressively "non-commercial" work are likelier to find this film more appealing than the average viewer will. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Director(s):: Chantal Akerman

Format(s):: DVD
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Synopsis of D'Est

Director(s):: Chantal Akerman

Categories:: Special Interest, Foreign

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	Keith G.

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This 1993 film by Chantal Akerman resembles some of her best experimental work from the 1970s, especially Hotel MontereyÂ. A non-narrative film. Just a series of images from across Russia; often slow, amazingly long tracking shots , intercut with some long stationary wide angle shots, and shots of people in rooms, clearly staged. There is no dialogue and almost no music, only the incidental sounds of the place being photographed. The film is clearly a comment on how lost Russia was at that moment in history after communism fell. Â A lifetime of one ideology was suddenly gone, and nothing new had yet taken its place. We see it in the faces -- every person looks like they are waiting for something. The only problem for me was the length. At 110 minutes both images and ideas, terrific though they were, started to feel repetitive. But I would gladly re-visit and see if a second viewing, knowing what the style of the film is, would be easier to settle into, and get lost in.

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