As part of my recent addiction with the 4:3 aspect ratio and dive back into the more arthouse genre, I've found myself searching through the Internet in attempt to itch an itch that seems to never end. I think this is with some difficulty at the moment in finding good recent films. It appears as if much of the world's global distribution attempts have slightly shrunk. I remember back in the day I'd easily find international arthouse films to watch, endless lists and many articles on the upcoming releases through various festivals. Perhaps there are still some gems to find and I'm just not as patient; though today's little search had me finding a film that definitely seemed more up my alley: Crystal Swan. A film from Belarus which depicts the struggles of the mid 1990s as a result of the USSR's collapse, and how people attempted to push forward and escape their economic struggles. And yes, shot in beautiful 4:3!
I was intrigued by the film for its narrative which explored a person that was fooled into the concept of the American dream, the idea that the US was the place to be, after all, Belarus had lost almost everything. And a few short years after the USSR's collapse, the rise of nightclubs and American music had become the norm. The supposed western way of life had influenced the people, telling them that freedom was to party, drink and dance long into the night. Velya, a female DJ has the intent on following many out of the crumbling remains of Belarus and to the US where a wishful concept of immigration and success remains at the forefront of her mind. Of course, like for many others, the promised western dream never actually came, nor was it ever likely to happen in the first place. Resulting in a lot of challenges and personal growth back home. In a city of partying, no salaries with everyone selling everything they own, and rampant drug abuse, Velya sees a better life abroad. Though in her case the plans are put to a halt through an error in her visa application which results in it being rejected.
From the start it's already easy to feel for Velya. The film does a great job at showing some of the decaying aspects of the society. Where everyone around her is void of purpose. There's clearly no future there for her beyond drugs and crime. The film mostly shows this through the environment and her interacts with other people, where her life itself isn't all the bad. As the film progressed I noticed quite an interesting touch on the whole situation appearing in the dialogue, one line of which pertained to how there were no longer any jobs, but they can now party all night. During the Soviet Union they had all they needed, but now they've got what they fought so desperately for. Quite a strong line which speaks on the regret and the emptiness of what was won over in the people. Sure they had a bit more freedom, but that freedom meant nothing when everyone was barely capable of affording to live.
The film handles the total degradation of the society really well, even down to how nothing functions properly anymore. Nobody has any care in their work. People are basically mindless zombies that sit behind a piece of glass and pay attention to their makeup instead of working. Which makes perfect sense even today in our society in which people are made to work for a salary that doesn't offer much to live from. While the film does speak more fondly of the USSR through its characters, it doesn't ultimately suggest that everything should return to its former order, more that it portrays the difficulties of the present then for those characters. Sometimes this is shown through the former bureaucracy that the Soviet Union had and still somewhat maintained.
Though, one character in particular does spread that pain for the nation quite expressively. The pain in watching it sell itself off to foreign powers. The lack of direction and the degeneracy that followed. The history that was simply forgotten and underappreciated due to the sacrifices made. Quite an interesting set of takes from a character that stood out quite a bit. More on the nose in that sense. All of this works beautifully alongside the directing which shows that history rather well. Beautiful historic buildings and architecture, now covered in secondhand clothes to be sold. Markets of poverty. The crumbling architecture and infrastructure as the funding continues to disappear all around.
I ended up loving this film. Loving the directing and cinematography which utilised that 4:3 aspect ratio really well. The handheld feel of the camera movements which had everything feeling more reel and in motion. Especially with Velya as she attempts to find purpose and pursue that impossible American dream. The old, traditional interiors that she roams through under this pursuit, the rejection of those traditions and that culture which are portrayed like sad ghosts which linger on despite the changing times, incapable of moving forward just like the people. Even as Velya returns home to the most traditional and cultural space she knows.