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Alexey Balabanov is known not only as an outstanding Russian director, but also as a screenwriter, producer and actor. But most of all, he still succeeded in directing. Alexey is a two-time winner of the Kinotavr film festival, thanks to the films Brother and War, as well as the winner of the Nika award, which he received for the artistic work About Freaks and People. On account of one of the best domestic directors about two dozen films.
We included in the rating Balabanov’s best films, which are listed below.
10 River | 2002
The ten most successful works of the Russian director are opened by the drama “River(2002). The action takes place at the end of the 19th century in the Yakut taiga, forgotten by God, where a small colony of leper settlers lives. A young girl is brought into this wilderness, who is engaged in hunting. She falls in love with a sick guy. The heroes begin to live together and soon expect the appearance of a child. But the idyll is broken by the unexpectedly returned wife from the “mainland”, which leads to tragedy. The shooting of the picture had to be suspended halfway, as the actress Tuyara Svinoboeva, who played the main role, died. A year after the dramatic events, Balabanov edited the already filmed material and commented on the missing scenes behind the scenes.
9. About freaks and people | 1998
The ninth place is occupied by the comedy drama of the Russian director “About freaks and people” (1998). The events of the feature film take place at the beginning of the twentieth century. During this period, cinematography and photography actively developed. Many private businessmen want to cash in and shoot pictures, take photos of pornographic content. In the center of the plot are two families that create the impression of being prosperous. Photographer Iogan with his underground studio is not averse to capitalizing on human nudity. Two couples become victims of a perverted photographer. Earning on others, he breaks people’s destinies and turns people into lustful freaks. In 1998, the picture received the Nika film award.
8. Happy days | 1991
In eighth place among the works of Balabanov is the drama “happy daysand” (1991). The protagonist of the psychological picture is a man who has lost his memory, who has no friends and no past. He wanders the streets of a devastated and faceless Petersburg. On the way he meets people who address him by different names. No one needs him, but for some reason everyone turns to him with their requests. The hero himself wants only a roof over his head and peace.
7. Cargo | 2007
Dramatic thrillerCargo” 200 (2007) with the slogan “The eleventh film by Alexei Balabanov” ranks seventh among the works of the Russian director. The film describes the events of 1984 that took place in the USSR in one of the provinces. After a night disco, the daughter of the secretary of the district committee of the party disappears. Witnesses to the incident and the perpetrators could not be found. On the same evening, a brutal murder takes place on the outskirts of the city, which is committed by the owner of the house. An investigation of two cases begins, which are assigned to captain Zhurov … The film received high marks and was awarded an award from Russian film critics at the Kinotavr film festival.
6. It doesn’t hurt me | 2007
Melodrama “I don’t get hurt” (2007) is among the ten best works of Balabanov. Three talented friends and designers decide to offer their services to a wealthy young lady to build a luxurious mansion. The mistress of the house is called Natella Antonovna. She has everything, but her life seems gray and boring. A meeting with one of the designers Misha turns the heroine’s life upside down. She falls in love with a guy. Misha gets his favorite, and his friends get a good job. All the characters are doing well. But Natella has her “skeletons in the closet” hidden away, which will make themselves felt.
5. Castle | 1994
In fifth place among the best works of the director is the drama “Castle” (1994), based on the novel of the same name by writer Franz Kafka. The land surveyor is invited to the Castle to carry out official work. He stays in the Village, but is surprised to find that he is not expected here. The protagonist tries to prove the purpose of his arrival, but no one wants to listen to him. The land surveyor decides that he will get into the mysterious Castle by any means.
4. Arrival train | 1995
Short film by Alexei Balabanov “arrival traina” (1995) was awarded the “Golden Bear” as the best short film. The plot story consists of four short novels. The first part is called “Wedding March”: in the center of events is a father, a son and a girl who is the father’s mistress and the son’s bride. The second short story “Exercis N5″ about filming a movie. After the filming is over, they forget to turn off the camera and the actors who take off their masks and behave naturally, like ordinary people, get into the lens. The third story “Trofim” is about a jealous husband who killed his brother. The last part of “The Road” is about two vagrants, refugees living at railway stations.
3. War | 2002
War dramaWar” (2002) opens the top three films of Balabanov. Chechen commander Aslan Gusaev decides to release three hostages from captivity. The lucky ones were conscripts Sergeant Ermakov (Alexey Chadov) with Private Kulik and Englishman John Boyle, who must collect a huge amount of money to rescue his bride Margaret, who was held hostage by the Chechens. In addition to the girl, Aslan’s captives are Captain Medvedev. John does not find the required amount, and even the government refuses to help him. Then he goes to Russia and looks for Ermakov. Together they head to enemy territory to free the girl and the Russian captain.
2. Brother | 1997
Crime drama Balabanov “Brother” (1997) ranked second among the best films of the director. The protagonist of the artistic picture Danila Bagrov (Sergey Bodrov Jr.) was demobilized from the army and came home. He gets bored in his native province, so he decides to go to St. Petersburg, where his older brother (Viktor Sukhorukov) lives in clover. Danila decided to visit a relative to help with employment. But here the truth is revealed to the hero that his brother is not a businessman at all, but a hired killer.
1. Brother 2 | year 2000
The second part of the crime drama “Brother 2” (2000) was filmed by Balabanov three years later. The continuation of the story of Danila Bagrov was no less successful among the audience. The protagonist meets his fellow soldiers, with whom he fought side by side in Chechnya. One of the comrades is suddenly killed. Danila knew that the victim had problems because of his brother living in America. He decides to go in search and takes his brother to help. In America, Bagrov finds himself in the midst of gang warfare. The young man started a dangerous game, but is not going to give up. His main goal is to avenge the death of a friend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb7iMQWHUDY