BEANPOLE

If I were to try and explain what Beanpole were in a sentence – I’d simply say it’s one of those few films based on a war where you never see a gun, or hear a bullet, but feel the same anguish, if not less. Set in 1945 Leningrad, the film begins with Iya, a nurse at a military hospital, suffering from post concussion syndrome – something which sent her into a frozen state without any prior warnings, irrespective of the time or place – becoming the very thing that would turn to be fatal to her young son, trapped in her tight embrace.

But who am I even kidding – the Russians and Turks never go easy on the script – and as we move further ahead, we get to meet Masha, a friend of Iya’s who had served in the war, both, by her side, before her concussion, and even after, to avenge someone dear’s death, while, her son, Pashka, had been left in Iya’s care. Hence, with the end of the war, we finally dive into the dysfunctional lives of these two friends, who had lost almost everything they had, to the war. A mother, who had always been robbed of her motherhood for the times, returns, only to find her child dead. She herself, can never have anymore children, because the war and her comrades hadn’t particularly been very caring towards her. Iya, who is in no way at fault, is still held responsible, but not in the way she’d like to be – now given the responsibility of giving Masha a child, and probably her only chance at a new life. Two strangers in a car looking for quick fucks late at night, after the dances had closed. A doctor in a hospital who manages to save lives, only to have to take them, at their request. Hopes for a new life. Burden, tears, silence -  Beanpole makes you grasp for words in vain. 

The other great thing about the film is its production quality, which has always been an unusual correspondence with great stories. The film almost naturally transports you to post-war Leningrad with its snow, trams, and old hospitals with silver teacup holders (which isn’t seen much these days, unless you’re on a Russian train), hand-rolled cigarettes, morphine to kill and a Beanpole. None of this would’ve been anywhere near perfect had it not been for the palette – beginning with the wallpaper fleecing off the walls, complimented by a green dress that Masha twirls in (like the colorful domes you’ll find on some towers of an Orthodox Church in Moscow) till the fits get to her. Russia’s deserving entry for the 92^nd Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category, this 2019 historical drama film by Kantemir Balagov is best watched on a lazy afternoon, or a calm night with some vodka to help when things get a little tough. While IMDB might not have done it right with a 7.1 rating, I’m certain the film’s winning the FIRPRESCI Prize in the Un Certain Regard at Cannes might have dissuaded any second thoughts that you were having. If I were to rate it, I’d go for an 8.8 out of 10.

Oh, and as always - my blog tries to help you reach the movies however possible, hence let me hyperlink the link to the movie in my drive below (no viruses - guaranteed).

Beanpole 2019 Full Movie
 

Your Neighbourhood Dealer (of films),

Anirban Chakroborti