I honestly did not know what to expect when I first started watching this film, yet it surprised me greatly!! From previous knowledge, I have learned that the Russians have never been an atypical society. By actually viewing that society was very structured, with things like the apartment buildings, this movie reiterated the fact that society is/was different.
This comedy, "Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!" is unique. I found myself laughing a lot at this film, and I have enjoyed it thus far. Most of the comedies in America and it's past focus on the ridiculous behavior of the characters in the film. This film shows that even all the way in Moscow, men love to drink and act extremely silly during their drunken actions. Zhenya is the prime example in this movie, getting too drunk to function and ending up on a plane in a different part of Russia! He completely (so far) has ruined his chances to spend the new year with Galya. This is funny to me, and probably to other cultures as well. The thing that is very different culturally wise with American and Russian comedies in my opinion thus far is the songs that were sung in the Russian film. This usually doesn't happen in American comedies.
It has some similarities to other cultures, yet it shows some very different parts of culture. First of all, the apartment buildings were very prominent in the cities. It is believable that Zhenya mixed up the buildings, because they look so similar! That is funny on its own, yet so culturally driven towards the Soviet Union. Yes, it is peculiar, yet it is entertaining. The bathhouses on the other hand are VERY peculiar, especially since they are still keeping the tradition strong in the 70's! Another interesting aspect that popped out to me was the true importance of the New Year. The characters, such as Ippolit, spoke of it so highly..."the old year..the New Year." It was interesting to see that this culture and how it works, and how it keeps the tradition of family and people close to you important for this holiday.
All in all, this movie so far has shown me how different the Russian culture is from Americans, yet how it is still funny and can relate to people around the world.
You are right about the Russians singing more then characters in American films do. American movies usually replace singing actors with music montages or a random rock anthem being played. Kind of a shame if you ask me, because I think American audiences would love to see more actors like Adam Sandler and Steve Carell singing ridiculous little ditties during their movies.
ReplyDeleteAnd you better believe the bath-houses (бани)are still going strong in Russia to this very day and that they represent a very important tradition for Russians. And you're quite right about the New Year holding especial importance for Russians. I think part of this is because they were denied Christmas for so long under the Soviet regime--but also there are perhaps aspects to the holiday (starting over, shedding the old, putting on the new, etc.) that make it especially appealing to Russians.
ReplyDeleteRuskaland Films, btw, is right when he points out that a lot of the music we're hearing here (i.e., when Zhenya or Nadia play and sing on their guitars) is "diegetic"--that is, it is music produced by characters in the film and something that they too can hear. I agree that Western films don't have as much of that--most of their soundtracks (those "music montages" and "random rock anthems" that he speaks of) consist of music that is "non-diegetic."