Territory (2015)

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

This is a truly epic film both in duration, the depth of it's characters and the scale of it's setting. Russian films are often 'Love' stories dealing with different aspects of Eros, Philios, and Agape; so this is an Epic Love Story, about Geologists surveying Siberia (the Territory) in the Soviet 60's. Just as in 'War and Peace' the lives of many people are followed through tragedy and triumph, and all of these individuals are fleshed out in exquisite detail. We see their flaws and strengths tested under the harshest of conditions, and in a spectacular terrain. There is a 'Dersu Uzala' quality to the film; a native hunter, the force of nature, bonding, testing, love, physical tests, the triumph and failures - it's raw and beautiful.The Cinematography, apart from a couple of rugged drone shots is just breathtaking, especially on a big screen. Casting, Acting, Locations, Sound, Editing are all superb. What the Director/Writer has achieved with the Script is vast in it's scope, hence I describe the film as an 'Epic' for good reason. The film falters only for moments; once it gets it's rhythm up it becomes totally mesmerizing and as for the ending - well, I loved the ending - it's really well written. This is no Hollywood 'Heroes Journey' film - nobody is a 'Handsome Hero' - all are hard, obsessive, damaged, damned, fragile, beautiful manifestations of humanity. And that's what this film has in spades: Humanity. I give it Nine Stars - I rate it higher than 'Dersu Uzala' which is a film that I love dearly. At two and a half hours you'll need patience and a big screen but it won't disappoint. Extremely Russian. Extremely Poetic and philosophical. A Visual feast. Epic. October 2015.

The Territory tells the tale of a Russian geological survey team in the tundra in the early 1960s. The star of the film is the magnificent landscape, lovingly shot and highlighting its many faces throughout the seasons. Bleak, dramatic, breathtakingly beautiful, and above all relentless. The men and women who choose to make their lives here, and hopefully their fortunes, are a rare breed; part explorer, part engineer and part philosopher. The difficulties they face and the comradeship they form are seared into your mind. It's a tale of passion, for one's country. Love, for nature and freedom. Determination, to achieve the goal against all odds and sense. Truly Russian. I was captivated by the film, the sense of purpose, of how small man is in his environment, and how we can be set free at the same time. Awe-inspiring, intriguing, and charming, The Territory is the perfect antidote to Hollywood pap.

If you want to understand the Russian soul, you should see this film.This film truly describes geologic search in north locations or Russia in sixties. The strong characters and hard nature. A little bit as a Jack London books but with Russian specific. Must see to whom who wants to visit Siberia or Far East Russia. The breathtaking nature views and very good story. Not about politics, but about of people in hard conditions. P.S. Very good work of operator. It's a pleasure to see nature sites in Siberia. My lovely homeland )bla-bla-bla )