There's a heartbreaking moment in Stop, Zemlia! (a game that goes a bit like Pin a Tail) when most of the movie's teenage protagonists go to a gun-shooting demo put on by the Army. It's as if they were preparing for what's happening to them now, and getting their high-schoolers ready for combat. While the movie is not about the fate of the Ukraine, it makes watching this tale of angst-ridden adolescence all the more poignant. Turns out Ukrainian kids have the same problems ours do: cutting, depression, drugs, bullying, too much phone time, ADD; but in Kateryna Gornostai's superbly deft, loving portrait of her subjects, they do so with endearing, eloquence, and even a stoic, humorous charm you won't be able to resist. This is not a Marvel caper, so don't expect pace, or even plot. This is a tender slice of teenage life, reminiscent perhaps of Richard Linklater's "Boyhood", and in its more documentary moments, of Mike Mills's C'mon C'mon. You need to be patient, open, and willing to risk discomfort to watch this movie, the way you might be with your at-home teen. The rewards will be abundant. An uplifting and deeply affecting debut.
11 Reviews
"Do you think the snow in the sea is salty?"
morrison-dylan-fan26 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Last year finding a bundle of gems during the online Glasgow Film Festival,I was intrigued to learn that this year the Edinburgh Film Festival is doing a mix of in person,and online screenings, which led to me going to meet Zemlia.
View on the film:
Breaking away from recording Masha's last year at school with in-character interviews, debut co-editor(with Nikon Romanchenko) writer/director Kateryna Gornostai & cinematographer Oleksandr Roshchyn superbly blur the line between documentary and fictional feature film maker, thanks to igniting a hangout atmosphere.
Gornostai criss-crosses from a disco lights-lit wonderfully understated high school prom dance sequence,to delicate, documentary-style close-ups on Masha taking the first step out of the safety net of being surrounded by her friends Yana and Senia (played by the terrific trio of Maria Fedorchenko, Arsenii Markov and Yana Isaienko, all of whom come from a non-professional acting background, which helps to give the friendship of the trio a naturalistic quality.)
Placing the emphasizes on exploring Masha's coming of age in hanging out with pals and self-discovery in her first real attempt for a romantic life, the screenplay by Gornostai dances to the documentary/hangout beat of the directing, as Masha battles her internal introverted mind-set whilst attempting to catch the loving eye of the more aloof Sasha,that is threaded by playful,driven by fluid hand held camera moves into extended set-pieces getting up close-close to Masha and her two best friends,as they stop Zemlia.
View on the film:
Breaking away from recording Masha's last year at school with in-character interviews, debut co-editor(with Nikon Romanchenko) writer/director Kateryna Gornostai & cinematographer Oleksandr Roshchyn superbly blur the line between documentary and fictional feature film maker, thanks to igniting a hangout atmosphere.
Gornostai criss-crosses from a disco lights-lit wonderfully understated high school prom dance sequence,to delicate, documentary-style close-ups on Masha taking the first step out of the safety net of being surrounded by her friends Yana and Senia (played by the terrific trio of Maria Fedorchenko, Arsenii Markov and Yana Isaienko, all of whom come from a non-professional acting background, which helps to give the friendship of the trio a naturalistic quality.)
Placing the emphasizes on exploring Masha's coming of age in hanging out with pals and self-discovery in her first real attempt for a romantic life, the screenplay by Gornostai dances to the documentary/hangout beat of the directing, as Masha battles her internal introverted mind-set whilst attempting to catch the loving eye of the more aloof Sasha,that is threaded by playful,driven by fluid hand held camera moves into extended set-pieces getting up close-close to Masha and her two best friends,as they stop Zemlia.
Not about anything, but that's why it's fascinating
tormoyader10 July 2022
I expected that I did not like the film, but even after seeing the quality of the image, direction and color editing, I became interested - maybe the film is of better quality than I expected. And then the dialogues and the plot captivated me, I felt nostalgia - even though I did not even have similar episodes in my life. In general, I really liked the film, it was very exciting, I got a little lost in its world (although the subject matter is not at all typical for me). In general, I advise you to try to watch, even if you are a man of 25+ years and you think that this topic is definitely not suitable for you.
An incredible movie for everyone that has ever been a teenager
oapetryshyn22 January 2022
I was amazed by the beautiful shots. This movie shows the life of an average Ukrainian teenager in a realistic way. It doesn't have a specific plot, but it's all about enjoyment and living in the moment. I also loved all the metaphors used in the movie. Truly one of a kind.
A movie to make friends with
alpenhogs25 January 2022
Kateryna Gornostai, an aspiring director with solid documentary background, presents a delicate insight into the emotional life of high-schoolers. All her teenage actors had been picked through in-depth interviews and underwent a two-months-long series of workshops before they were finally approved as their characters. This helps us understand the nature of the movie, not much of a drama, but a careful character study employing the documentary toolset, combined with incredible camera work, organic acting, and meticulous editing to create an immersive and believable picture. I was deeply moved by Gornostai's delicate and loving manner of dealing with teenage insecurity, which I wish I could have experienced myself as a 16-year-old.
A coming of age film about self-discovery, relationships and political struggles
mervederyayazicioglu15 May 2022
The film is not really only about teenagers self-discovering themselves together or isolated from each other, but also about the political situation that is lurking behind the scenes. Since 2014, Ukraine has been under the attack of dictator Russia which is why talking about this evil shadow is inevitable in a Ukrainian film. You might be surprised but even long before that, Ukraine has been under the invasion of Russia every few decades for centuries. As a result, Kateryna is determined to portray the effects of the previous Russian invasion through their school education. The medical and shooting training of these teenagers in high school becomes the precursor of Russia's war against Ukraine in 2022. Director utilizes a few documentary cameras and plot styles to let the audience into the story of Masha and her friends. In that way, this becomes a great example of a realistic indie film and a portrait of the Ukrainian youth.
I watched this movie bc of Twitter, so you need too
kot_depresnyak26 January 2022
I heard a lot of bad reviews about this movie, and went to another city to watch it.
What can I say - people who said it's boring forgot their adolescence.
If I could give it mark, it would be 11/10, bc they were real children (teenagers actually) with real problems of our society, and most of times they just stay silent - and you feel their emotions through screen.
Characters are not good or bad here - they are alive.
And this movie touched my soul - like emotional tornado - and that's what is mean to be teenager.
What can I say - people who said it's boring forgot their adolescence.
If I could give it mark, it would be 11/10, bc they were real children (teenagers actually) with real problems of our society, and most of times they just stay silent - and you feel their emotions through screen.
Characters are not good or bad here - they are alive.
And this movie touched my soul - like emotional tornado - and that's what is mean to be teenager.
Ukraine life
BandSAboutMovies22 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The directorial debut of Kateryna Gornostai, this film finds an introverted high schooler named Masha, who is only happy when she's hanging out with two other ousiders, Yana and Senia. Yet how will young love change everything? After all, Masha is in love with Sasha, Yana is in love with Senia and Senia is in love with Masha.
Even though this takes place a world away - much less a world in danger of Russian troops coming into its borders and possible igniting World War III, which is hinted at in this movie when Senia attends a class explaining how to load an AK-47 - the lives of these teens don't seem all that different from our country. And it reminds me - I'm glad that I am not growing up today with the pressures of identity, social media and nonstop harassment. It all seems so confining and full of anxiety even in comparison to my teen years in the 80s.
Gornostai started in documentaries and this movie uses that style throughout. It's a really earnest and nuanced take on the perils of growing up. But yeah, I'm totally good with never being a teenager ever again.
Even though this takes place a world away - much less a world in danger of Russian troops coming into its borders and possible igniting World War III, which is hinted at in this movie when Senia attends a class explaining how to load an AK-47 - the lives of these teens don't seem all that different from our country. And it reminds me - I'm glad that I am not growing up today with the pressures of identity, social media and nonstop harassment. It all seems so confining and full of anxiety even in comparison to my teen years in the 80s.
Gornostai started in documentaries and this movie uses that style throughout. It's a really earnest and nuanced take on the perils of growing up. But yeah, I'm totally good with never being a teenager ever again.
This film exceeded my expectations
olexandrukrain25 January 2022
It's really wonderful film. I have felt the extraordinary familiar and, although not always, pleasant atmosphere. Pretty and live heroes, wool clothes, impressive music, great scenes and professional work... I fall in live <3
Thanks to all the team that worked at this. I want to buy the cup with logo or the picture from the dude's room in a hat (where the plane is).
122 min. mutniaky
ibogdan-772846 February 2022
Somewhere in 15 minutes. I asked my friends this art, isn't the woman the director of the "masterpiece" ?! Lots of psychological twists, empty dialogues and lack of plot. The game of actors is the bottom, and the main character Masha this role - a complete failure. Her brother could not master even a short scene in the school canteen - we have many talented and gifted children in drama clubs and theater studios! Why are these talentless zeros on the screens? Protracted sophisticated dialogues, Russisms and mothers were supposed to shock the audience and show the gray world of teenagers, but showed the limitations and poverty of the director. Watch the trailers before paying for the ticket!)
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