Siberian Education (2013)

Perfect cast and a good story

Highly Overrated But Still Good

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

I've read some pretty bad reviews of this film that are unwarranted in my opinion. I'll address some of the complaints with my answers.1. The accents. American movies that contain characters who are Russian (or from that area of the globe) used bad accents. I don't particularly love it, BUT, there really isn't another way to convey the ethnic tones of these movies. American viewers don't speak any of these languages, and it would be even more stupid with American actors playing the roles in perfect English. It's easy to poke fun at, I'll admit, but it's not as badly done in this flick as some have said. Yes, there are a few rough moments, but they aren't that bad unless you're intentionally trying to nit pick. 2. The "chaotic" cut scenes. I've seen a few reviews complaining about how the sequence of the scenes. It's a bit hard at first to tell what's going on with this, but it becomes clear very quickly.3. Complaints about "Flick Knives" and gratuitous violence. Really? It's a story about a criminal ghetto. I'd imagine life was just as tough as was portrayed in the movie, and likely worse at times. Trust me, the violence isn't overplayed, and honestly there were a few places it seemed underplayed given the subject matter.I'd say just ignore the reviews and watch it if you're curious. I felt the story was engaging, the characters were interesting, and if you take a minute to think about it, the plot elements are all relevant (contrary to other reviews I've read). I gave it a 10 because I've always been interested in this part of the world, and love John Malkovich. I could see most folks landing between 7-8 if they like it, 5-6 if they didn't like it. I couldn't see rating it a 1 star as some people have done.

If you really like this movie try Borat (or Russian Dancing Men) next, another one true and in-depth biopic about (ex-)USSR people's way of life. Why you westerners are ready to swallow any bulls**t about Russia so easily? Let me share this formula of highly sellable "a la Russe" trash, so you'll be able to cash in on it the same way like Mr. Lilin did. Take a couple of grim facts of Soviet/Russian history and add a lot of s**t to make everything look even worse (do not overdo though for we do not need to get any highbrow surrealistic Pasolini-like overtones). If you are not good in fabricating stories use some golden classic, like Once upon a time in America for instance, as a cut-and-paste source. Then tell everyone that it's your personal story, firsthand experience and/or your family background.No one knew anything about this new great Russian author in Russia before we happened to hear about his fantastic success with western audience. Do you know why? Because they did not publish his books for Russia. Do you know why? Because they can sell them here as a pulp fiction only. And we've got tons of similar pulp, yet not as ludicrous as Mr. Lilin's books. So keep this "new Russian classic" of urka-exploitation genre for yourselves if you can see no difference.

Every once in awhile a person has to be in a certain mood to watch certain movies. Does that make sense? "Educazione siberana" or Siberian Education is a mood movie. It is a somewhat slow drama about a small group of boys growing up as members of a ethnic Siberian community. If you don't know a little about these people, it's much like the mob and it was created by the Soviet penal system. It's a slow movie but it is a human drama. DOn't let the title fool you this is an English speaking movie. Although it takes place in the Soviet Union it is a very relateble tale. A story about how people change and grow apart especially in the face serving time in prison. John Malkovich plays the part of an old, wise grandfather in it. He is his usual great acting self, but his role is limited.I do have a problem with this movie though. There are somethings I felt needed a little explaining, and could have made this movie from good to great. The main character, at some point leaves the community, and joins the Russian Military. There are scenes interspersed in the movie with him in uniform as the story of the past is unfolding. But it stops short of giving us a good clear picture of if this effected his family, or the community. It is just an odd way to get him to the end he is seeking. He could have taken care of the problem, right then and there, without all the years passing by.I give it a seven. I usually have to be in a mood to watch a long, unfolding drama such as this one, and I was. A few problems don't ruin it too much but would have went a long way.

Folks, it is just bullshit, sorry for my language. It is just awful. I tell you it as someone who grown up in Sibiria, Kogalim city of Tumen and who currently lives in the Caucasus. Basically, storyline develops in the regions which I do know well.First, it is not Sibiaria, people don't live like that, there are no criminals like that. There are no such standoff between police and cirminals. Plus, criminals are not commute well there. Second, I assume that one part of events develop in breakout region of Moldova, in Prednestrovie, which has nothing to do with Siberia.Third, the Caucasus story is stupid. The fighters in the Caucasus are not connected to drugs because it is against their core believes. Gagarin drinking vodka at the end of film is horrible – it is prohibited in the Caucasus, specially among radical fighters because they are mostly radicals and don't spoke/drink.Do your homework well if you want to shoot a real movie.