planktonrules Review of Umirayushchiy lebed

Umirayushchiy lebed (1917)

This film is about necrophilia--keep this in mind before you let the kids watch it!

[7/10 · 30 July 2006]

Wow--I never thought I'd use the word "necrophilia" in one of my reviews, but it is appropriate for this bizarre little film from Russian director Evgeni Bauer. It's a very strange film that I really can't compare to any other film I've seen--and I've seen a lot! There's a mute woman who dates a guy who seems pretty nice. However, she later catches him with another woman and so she decides to leave home and seek out a career as a dancer. Her dancing, by the way, is incredible--I don't know how the actress is able to dance on her toes like that and for so long--even if it is ballet. At the same time, we meet a very odd guy who is an artist obsessed with death (a frequent Bauer theme). He wants to capture the perfect image of death and when he sees the lady dance as a dying swan, he knows he MUST make a picture of her in the death scene. This guy is really creepy and loves death--in later years, this sick obsession no doubt would have been handled in a more explicit fashion. She does agree to pose and the guy is way too happy and excited to make me comfortable! Later, though, the jerk from earlier in the film reappears and apologizes. They patch up their relationship and she is finally happy. And that creates a problem for Mr. Necrophile, as she no longer looks like the embodiment of death--she's just too darn happy and can't make the same wonderful death pose. So, naturally, he comes up with a "solution" to this dilemma and the movie ends. Ewwwwww!!!!!!!! The film is highly creative but also highly creepy. I wasn't thrilled with the film because of its sick plot, but must admit that excellent camera-work and unusual writing make it worth a peek.