23 December 2019

Cilveka berns (The Child of Man)


Cilveka berns (The Child of Man) 1991
  • Director: Janis Streics
  • Based on book: Jaanis Klidzejs
  • Cast: Andrejs Rudzinskis, Signe Dundure, Agnese Latovska
  • Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
    • None of them
  • Why? Gift from our dear friend AZ
  • Seen: 23 December 2019      

       Bonuks (Rudzinskis), about six years old, lives on a Latvian farm in the 30’s with his large family, including several unmarried aunts. He imagines himself a man and philosophises about love, death, friendship and God. He converses with Saint George for advice. Like everyone in the village he is very religious. He’s also a misogynist little dictator and a precocious little brat, spoilt rotten by the adults. Bonuks is an obnoxious little boy. He’s in love with Bigi (Dundure), about fifteen years older than he is and soon to be married.
       There isn’t much of a story, just daily life on the farm. Those who are nostalgic about rural idylls will find the film charming. Sorry to say I’m not one of them. Films about little boys growing up in the country make me feel claustrophobic.
       Nevertheless, the Latvian countryside is lovingly filmed and brings to mind the beautiful paintings of Vilhelms Purvitis. This is enough to make the film worth seeing. And even though Bonuks is annoying, the young actor Andrejs Rudzinskis is very good.
      
      
2 * of 5


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