The film George Mendeluk "devil's Harvest" referring to one of the most tragic pages of Ukrainian history, raising difficult questions on some to which still not answered, it is difficult to assess completely objectively, as a film in its purest form. Maybe someone's work, from wish him good luck, but I such objectivity is not apply.
For me it is important that the film Mendeluk now exist in principle. He required primarily as a reminder of the tragedy that not supposed to happen twentieth century, as warning that she really not should be repeated no in the XXI century nor in the next. The cynicism, hatred, cruelty and sophistication, with which the then regime killed people, the whole nation is shocking and appalling. Feeling the pain of losses will remain, probably, for decades, it not the last turn should be a guarantee that never will be allowed anywhere else in the world applying for humanity and civilization. Honestly say that most of my eight points "the devil's Harvest" for it. — reminder warning. And it's to a certain measure withdraws the picture shortcomings, which it, it must be confessed, enough.
However, they debits another important fact: the film Mendeluk imprisoned in the first to Western audiences. It aims to lucidly convey the theme of Ukrainian even to people who except its name, nothing more about her know, not know about the name. Here in the plot, say Cossack motifs in the 20th century, which for this uneducated Western audience can be a useful revelation, Ukrainian seems a little naive, and in the worst case there are still sharovarin see you. The same is dictated by the increased attention of the camera to the peasant huts, the costumes, the details of everyday life, rituals: for example, recall how much time was paid to the funeral scene in the context of the Ukrainian tradition. The same reason the ribbon is dominated by folk music, folk songs, and the decision to bring the wonderful songs of "DakhaBrakha" — the top recruit authors. Yes, we all this may seem somewhat naive and fun, but if you have to talk with a"clean slate", I this form seems appropriate. So that is an educational program that movie can be considered successful.
What to sorry about it is impossible to say how the actual film. The main thing is not enough "the devil's Harvest" — integrity. The impression is that look no one film and cutting or clips or short films, sometimes with great difficulty customized to the together and taken by different people in some same locations.
A lot of questions to the story. Episodes from Stalin look artificial and unnecessary — information are, it was possible to put a VoiceOver accompanying text for a more emotional could to recite actor. The finale also read a slightly different, clearer, with some output, but not so blurred, where do not clearly nothing. In terms of mapping the realities of that time is also not everything went smoothly. If you believe the creators, in the 30s of the matter in Ukraine was as follows: in the village was raided by cavalry of the red Army in led high Commissioner, "restoring order" and safely disappeared. The until the next RAID tech in its former course, as if I happened — here parties carefree fun, except that a little tight food. But even a little bit familiar with Ukrainian history of those years know very well that everything was different.
Rushed in eyes what if the ceremonies, songs, customs, costumes we do know the Ukraine, staged battles — Hollywood. The battle scenes are shot with almost a full set of Hollywood tricks, and "chips" and not because they have fun even by yourself for yourself, not mention of Ukrainian realities.
Can not, for one very pleasant exception, boasting picture Mendeluk and acting. Missed here, perhaps, everything. To the actors have me, less claims, at least main mass. Have them busy schedules, one film follows other and then in parallel, to understand and to feel the material is not always have the time, but with "the devil's Harvest" it was vital. In the end, did not seem to say that the actors react to the project carelessly, but here's how to the passage, only "one", — obviously. And this required a great mental impact, significantly more emotion than we have seen in her. And is the more a shame that actors gained something not mediocre. Samantha barks, for example, I think is best for Eponine history of film adaptations of Les misérables: the Hooper she outplayed some much more hyped, his colleagues in the lead roles. Emilia Fox played a great role in "the Pianist", "be Silent in a rag", "Helen of Troy", and Barry pepper — in the "Iron grip" and "Saving private Ryan". However, in "the devil's Harvest" they look unconvincing, as all others. Corny, but the Director then need to be more proactive, persistent, to infect, to carry, to convey to actors the importance and value of his idea. The more so this for Mendeluk was very personal, a tribute to the Ukraine, where its ancestors. But something doesn't matter, not merged, we see the highlights of the Amateur theatre is not it and highlights — and does a historical reconstruction, where the acting in General is reduced to zero.
Well, finally, believe some of heroes fast... is Very difficult, so to speak. In the film one gaunt face, no one thin figure. And in the painting of the Holodomor, dear! There are several bodies on the streets of Kiev, but with the camera on them delayed. And this is again a reference to the question how we had the actors come to the material in shooting "devil's Harvest".
And even the only pleasant exception in picture tamer Hassan, well played the red Commissioner and convince every scene with its a part that choice this role hit ten. But unfortunately, he became the only bright spot among the very average acting work.
Thus, as cinematographic film Mendeluk has become a very average show, little has been done in the number of points. And the less than very well that "devil's Harvest" was removed.
8 from 10
