You're probably familiar with Hollywood and Bollywood, but did you know that the term Mollywood (a combination of Moscow and Hollywood) is used to refer to the film industry in Russia? Russian movies have always been top contenders for globally prestigious movie awards. We have shortlisted 12 Russian films (both classics and contemporary) to help you gain a deeper understanding of the Russian language, history, and culture.
| Movie | Year Released | Brief Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Operation Y and Shurik's Other Adventures | 1965 | A three part film featuring the funny escapades of a nerdy student, Shurik. |
| War and Peace | 1966-1967 | An epic story of national conflicts and internal conflicts, love, revenge, nationalism, you have them all. |
| White Sun of the Desert | 1970 | A quintessential Ostern movie that details the brave adventures of a Red Army soldier as he returns to his hometown after war. |
| Tchaikovsky | 1970 | A classic for classical music lover that details the career of the Russian genius composer. |
| The Mirror | 1974 | A narrative and visual feast that combines personal storytelling and deep life metaphors as told bya dying man. |
| Burnt by the Sun | 1994 | A touching story on a family tragedy in the midst of times of tribulations and sacrifices. |
| 12 | 2007 | A gripping story of a 12 man jury to determine the innocence of a young boy in the midst of polarising political stance and nations. |
| How I Ended This Summer | 2010 | A film that engages you in internal debates on what's right and what's worth your time and life through two Russians of different generations. |
| Gargarin: First in Space | 2013 | A movie that details the potential human experience of Gagarin as the first man who was launched in space. |
| I Am Losing Weight | 2018 | A lighthearted movie that deals about body image, self-esteem and how young peope navigate relationship. |
| The Challenge | 2023 | A contemporary take on space adventures with a medical twist. |
| Off The Rails | 2023 | A movie that explores different dimensions of self discovery through unexpected events and encounters. |
Does Russia Have A Big Film Industry?
Russia is the largest country in the world by area and is widely renowned for its rich art history and production, especially in the fields of literature, music, and films.
While the Russian motion picture industry had a clear division between the Soviet Union era and the post-Soviet Union era, its legacy continues today with various genres and themes spanning across the decades from historical classics, slapstick comedies, and scientific fiction, to contemporary slice-of-life movies.
One main reason why Russian film thrived during the Soviet Union's governance was the huge support of the Russian government through state-owned studios like Mosfilm and Lenfilm.
Founded in 1924, it is one of the largest and oldest film studios in Russia and Europe. It fostered many talented local directors and the production of many iconic films while preserving the archive of many Soviet-era films for the modern audience.
Now, let's review some classic and contemporary Russian films that have shaped the legacy of the Russian film industry.
1. Operation Y and Shurik's Other Adventures (1965)
The slapstick comedy details the misadventures of a nerdy young Soviet student, Shurik in a three-part plot where he uses quick thinking, and humour to turn things around towards his favour.
It was the most popular Russian film released in 1965, attracting around 69.6 million viewers back then — now it has 5.3 million views on YouTube.
It's a must-watch lighthearted classic and does a good job of exploring elements of physical comedy while maintaining a realistic portrayal of everyday life and peculiar characters.
2. War and Peace (1966-1967)
If you are a lover of Russian literature, you cannot miss this classic epic war film.
This four-part film depicts the French invasion of Russia and an entangled saga of romance and self-actualisation between three primary characters: Pierre Bezukhov, Natasha Rostova, and Andrei Bolkonsky.
Source: MUBI
A successful adaptation of the novel of the same name by Leo Tolstoy, it is considered the grandest movie (in terms of cost and visual grandeur) in the country's motion picture history and was screened in over 100 countries.
It was also the first Soviet movie to win an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1969 with an IMDb rating of 8.3/10.
3. White Sun of the Desert (1970)
This moving picture follows the journey of Sukhov, a Red Army soldier who aspires to return home to his wife after serving in the army in Russian Asia. Along the way, he was tasked to protect a group of abandoned women and fight against a bandit, Abdullah.
A story that builds on visual symbolism, this film is a blend of drama and action comedy and topped the Societ box office. White Sun of the Desert is highly remembered today as a classic representative of the Ostern (Eastern) film genre — the Soviet Union and Eastern bloc's take on Western films.
Additionally, it also became a symbolic "good luck charm" for Russian astronauts to watch before embarking on any space missions as the desert represents an unknown territory like space.
4. Tchaikovsky (1970)
If the Russians love Tolstoy for his literature, they certainly take pride in Tchaikovsky for classical music.
This biographical moving picture explores the musical career of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, delving deep into his creative process as a composer for hits like The Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker, as well as his personal life struggles.
True to its focus on the music, it takes the audience in an immersive pursuit of the orchestra and concerto scenes, and the bustling classical music industry during that period.
5. The Mirror (1975)
Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, this motion picture evokes a strong build-up of emotions and layers of memory through flashbacks of a poet named Aleksei revolving around his childhood and the younger days of his parents, as he is about to pass away.
This film weaves in real-life historical events during the Soviet period and also some of the director's personal experiences. Like a mirror, the story was meant to reflect the parallels of one's childhood memories, complex relationship with family and spirituality.
In 2018, it was ranked 20th by BBC among the 100 greatest foreign language films. Furthermore, renowned director, Christopher Nolan also cited this masterpiece as one of his cinematographic influences when he was directing the blockbuster hit, Oppenheimer.
6. Burnt by the Sun (1994)
The motion picture narrates the consequences of military warfare and political oppression when Stalin was in power through the challenges faced by war hero, Colonel Kotov when an old friend, Dmitri suddenly appears.
Produced, directed and starred by Nikita Mikhalkov (lead role), this moving picture went on to sweep many international accolades at the Venice Film Festival and Academy Awards in 1995.
The film's focus on a family tragedy further intensifies the core theme of suffering and fear, making it a relatable story that received amazing reviews in Russia and overseas.
7. 12 (2007)
Another masterpiece featuring the talented Nikita Mikhailov, this legal drama moving picture presents a gripping take on the jury system where a 12-man jury decides the innocence of a Chechen teenager who allegedly killed his Russian stepfather.
This motion picture is loosely based on an American classic, 12 Angry Men (1957) and written to fit in the Russian context, particularly the tense historical relations between the Russians and the Chechens.
It received positive reviews from local cinema-goers, as it offers a glimpse of and was reportedly watched by Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
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8. How I Ended This Summer (2010)
A psychological thriller that's set in the Arctic, this motion picture dives deep into a story of survival and polar opposites of values between a younger meteorology student, Pavel and a senior geophysicist, Sergei during the Soviet era.
This film is generally well-received for its strong portrayals of landscapes and nature and also reflects the increase of intergenerational disconnection in Russia today.
Source: MUBI
It also received many accolades including the 60th Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear for Best Actor received by Grigoriy Dobrygin who played Pavel.
9. Gargarin: First in Space (2013)
In 1961, Yuri Gagarin carved a legacy when he became the first man ever to orbit the Earth for 106 minutes.
This biopic moving picture attempts to showcase a perspective of how this moment came to place, through the fierce selection process and what it could have felt for Gagarin as he embarked on a trip of a lifetime.
This motion picture offers a humane take on Gagarin, especially his childhood and fascination with space explorations which many of us can resonate with today. It's certainly a must-watch if you enjoy a retelling of real-life events and real people.
10. I Am Losing Weight (2018)
This sports comedy motion picture marks a shift of themes to more contemporary lighthearted stories, highlighting the journey of foodie, Anya who goes on a diet after being dumped by her boyfriend, Zhenya after she gained weight.
It was one of the most-watched films in 2018, with a focus on more relatable and relevant topics that appeal to the young generation like body image and self-acceptance instead of emphasis on warfare and nationalism.
Though the plot seems predictable, many applaud the script and acting portrayed by the young stars.
11. The Challenge (2023)
The Challenge sees the fusion of medicine and space exploration in one story where a young female thoracic surgeon, Zhenya was sent on an emergency space mission to save an ailing cosmonaut.
This motion picture has grossed 2 billion rubles (approximately 15.23 million pounds) after opening. It is also the first-ever Russian feature moving picture to be shot partially in space via the International Space Station (ISS).
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12. Off The Rails (2023)
Based on a real-life story, this upbeat comedy road film follows uptown girl, Anna's journey of growth and soul searching through cycling as she travels to be reconciled with her estranged mother after 13 years.
It topped the box office of the Russian Federation during its first week of release and offers a refreshing take on embracing life's challenges with courage and some spontaneity.
Can You Learn Russian By Watching Movies?
Now that you have reviewed our 12 film recommendations, you would probably want to gather your popcorn and start browsing Netflix or YouTube for a wholesome language learning session too.
Watching movies does serve as a fun and great method to pick up on native pronunciation, short phrases and even reading skills by learning how to read the subtitles, whether you are learning Spanish, Italian, Japanese, German, and yes, Russian.
However, it does require intentional efforts to replay and write down phrases and dialogues if you plan to master the language comprehensively.
At Superprof, you can find an experienced and qualified language tutor who has an all-encompassing understanding of Russian in terms of vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and even Russian culture while capable of teaching it in English.
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Just indicate your desired subject (Russian), and current location (London, for example) to start browsing the profiles of the available Russian private tutors. After reviewing their personal information and hourly rates, you can contact them via the messaging feature to book your first lesson.
The good news is that most Superprof tutors offer their first Russian lesson for free, so be sure to seize this amazing opportunity!
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