Awesome debut! The stunning, most likely debut of the unknown V. Jumati, who, apparently, did not shoot anymore.
Filmed very American, in the introduction of the words mute - so when the characters appeared in the frame, then far in the subconscious there were expectations of a deep, transatlantic accent. Slightly late (the 60s is already a complete sunset of noir cinematography), but for debut work, and especially Soviet work - more than forgivable. To condemn copying American standards, I think, is unwise - the script is written on the American history of Jack London.
My favorite in this work is undoubtedly the operator German Lavrov. And I started watching initially because I was impressed by his camera work in July Rain. How amazing he was when he was young! The man was able to withstand the Hollywood standards of shooting and not look, sorry, a sucker.
My second favorite is the artist Georgy Kolganov. I was also in July Rain, and I didn’t know. That's amazing. You can see who is professional and who is mediocre. And Kolganova will not bring to the last group even my crazy and do not understand anything in cinema grandmother.
The actors are good. It seemed that the woman overplayed, but then I thought: Expressionism. Or maybe it's intended? So I have no complaints about it. It looked like Hollywood again. The man didn't screw up either.
I'm looking at this and I wonder if Michael Romm has seen this short film. He brought to his team exactly the same persons whom I mentioned above - the operator and the artist. Such a brilliant work will catch everyone’s eye!
This is how any self-respecting director should make a debut, this is how every self-respecting cameraman should shoot a debut, this is how any self-respecting artist should perform his work and this is the reaction that any self-respecting viewer should have. For the sake of justice.
10 out of 10