A beautiful film, particularly in its use of color, light, and close-ups. As with other Sokurov films I've seen, there's a dreamlike quality to the proceedings, a sense of the unreal to the whole thing, even as the film seeks to portray the base and surrounding locale as they actually are. I like the emphasis on the effects of war on people over a long period of time, something that seems ever more significant in our war-happy world.

Sokurov's sentimental poetry embroiders a nation's personal connections to the military; he shows the ineffable grace that contemporary American filmmakers are too pent up to grant us -- truths about fealty that our movies neglect.

A film where next to nothing happens, starring the Chechen War as the elephant in the room. Clever and beautifully filmed, but a little too slow for my taste, and I've seen its themes addressed in more thought-provoking ways elsewhere.

"Disappointingly uncharacteristic of Sokurov, the humanist moments that pass between them lean toward token sentiment, and the moments that pass between Alexandra and the grandson she traveled so far to see feel inconsequential." - Kevin B. Lee

15 Nisan 08, 16:00, atlas1 sira8 koltuk9, yonetmenin izledigim ilk filmi, 27.ist. film fest. & neredeyse olmayan bir olay orgusu ve begenmedigim bir minimal stil.yonetmen, ruslarin ve cecenlerin arasindaki iliskilere degil, iyiligin ve kotulugun dogasina dair incelikli bir kesif yolculugu sunuyor.

Sokurov express a pleasant and vigorous benignity in this graceful, meditative film

I didn't buy "an old woman permitted in a military area during a conflict" in the first place. and the film's supposedly humanistic look at Chechnian conflict was so shallow, and even one sided at times. this film should not be taken as simply personal or meditative. it hits the wrong cords way too often...

If the premise is somewhat hard to swallow it at least provides a unique perspective on war, without being blatantly anti-war. Vishnevskaya provides a commanding performance, projecting a kind of dignified befuddlement. The film's washed-out sepia tones are stunning, elegantly conveying the dry heat of the area, or the stillness of late dusk. There isn't much meat on these bones, and it's not as captivating as Mother and Son, but it does draw you in and makes some worthwhile observations.

A heartwarming story from Sokurov.