Agony

For me, Klimov is the creator of the extraordinary war drama Come and See, so my expectations were high. Not that I was outright disappointed, but I can't help but be a little critical. I understand that the use of archival materials can enhance the sense of authenticity. After all, shots of a hospital full of limbless cripples wouldn't have been filmed so easily in the 70s. To the extent that Klimov drew from old documentary footage, it already smacks of an attempt to cut costs, and from my perspective, it's annoying. The director introduces the viewer to too many real historical figures, whose names and functions are of no concern to today's audiences, especially abroad. What works as expected is the grand visual testimony to a decaying regime full of corruption, decadence, and incompetence. Rasputin serves as the embodiment and symbol of the entire system's decline. His death foreshadows the downfall of the imperial empire. Petrenko's captivating acting, the absurdity of what is seen when an uneducated mystic holds the ministers and the most important officials of the empire in check, and the excellent camera work are reasons to watch Agony even today. Overall impression: 75%. (24/02/2017)