A timeless time recorded. I was born and raised in the same Mari land that the film talks about. I remember this turning point between two eras, the Soviet and the post-Soviet era. I've traveled enough around the republic to get a good idea of the people the film is about. And I saw Mari grandmothers, quiet and modest, somewhat ignorant, but life wise, to be endlessly grateful to Marina Aleksandrovna Razbezhkina for this movie.
That's where the time really is. Or rather, "timeless." August 1991, the cornerstone for the Soviet Union and the future Russian Federation historical event. It affected everyone, the events took place only in Moscow, but like a stone thrown into the water, the circles spread throughout the country. For some time, the entire population of the USSR felt like participants in the Great History. Or, if not all, most. The destruction of eras, the destruction of Soviet history.
And as a metaphor for future oblivion is the flooding of the Mari village of Otary, in which the main character of the film Zinaida Gorshkova lives out her century. Mari grandmother, the same age as all Soviet history.
In her memories, songs, everyday life comes to life that past time of youth and maturity, the time of fullness of life and being. That leaves "timelessness." The transition to eternity, as evidenced by the unchanging nature around. However, this nature will soon be covered by nothingness - the waters of the Cheboksary HPP will flood.
Sad and contemplative film elegy from Marina Alexandrovna, imbued with love for a single human soul of a billion people.
My opinion is very good.
8 out of 10