Alexandr Zavyalov Movies

In this slapstick Russian comedy Raivo, a young Finnish researcher journeys to rural Russia to observe the hunting customs there. The story begins with a posh picnic attended by elegant people speaking French and eating rare delicacies; it is winter and a few dozen people are waiting for a horn to sound and the hunt to begin. Suddenly a horn is heard, but it belongs to a car. The horn awakens the Fin and soon he is surrounded by the real hunters, a band of high-ranking army officers who are allowed to hunt in a restricted military area. Their idea of hunting involves drinking whole cases of vodka, stumbling about trying unsuccessfully to avoid the many cow pies, and setting off fireworks. Real chaos ensues when a Russian bear cub ambles into a sauna filled with drunken soldiers. Meanwhile, poor Raivo asks, "When do we begin the hunt?" The others are too busy having fun to care and eventually Raivo returns to Finland without having learned a thing about Russian hunting customs. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

While detained in one of the Soviet Gulags (prison work camps), Maria fell in love with and had a child by one of the camp guards. However, in order to save her baby, she was manipulated into a situation where she had to betray her lover. The main attraction of this film is the clear depiction it gives of the harsh conditions of life in these infamous camps. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi