My wife and I have been exploring film from various times and places. She tends to prefer actiony/adventury films that aren’t bleak while I am insufferable and maudlin, adoring self indulgent wallowing moodiness.
She found the rate of cuts of man with a movie camera too offputting, and has ruled out stalker because it’s relentlessly depressing. Aside from dead season which isn’t good but is funny because of history, and come and see which I wont be traumatising her with I don’t know any soviet film. You weirdos might.
Any recommendations for showing the best or most interesting of? Things that are either high quality or showcase a unique character due cultural differences. It can be weird!
If you’re not limited to full length films, how about some of the classic Soviet cartoons?
While I love Tarkovsky movies, I don’t think any of his films can be called upbeat. Solaris (Солярис) (1972) is the most accessible, but I’d say too broody for someone who wants an action movie. It’s more of a slow reflective film.
I haven’t watched it yet, but maybe Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (Тіні забутих предків) by Sergei Paradjanov could be a typical narrative driven bildungsroman.