At some point in the film we see some of the characters trying to compose living love-making sculptures by using real nude bodies as a way of distraction, escapism and also redemption from the reality, and looking at the entire Asthenic Syndrome, it seems that Kira Muratova is creating a chaotically pulsating sculpture of the Soviet Union during perestroika, adding in a mosaic like made of vortexes, the fears, the insecurities, the weaknesses and the physical and moral instability of a nation crippled by the hardness of a totalitarian regime followed by its needed but painful deconstruction, which implies the sacrifice and the dilute of generations exposed to its toxicity; the state like a wrecked vessel adrift on a sea of sadness is sinking slowly in its apathy, quaking only when frustrations burst into crisis of raw aggression aimed blindly towards people or animals, and a seal of opaqueness seems to keep everyone in a state of voidness of all hopes, morals and ideals; the youths are acting bluntly and disrespectfully, the older are decrepit and without any guidance power over the generation they have to nurture; the whole country has become and insane asylum as Muratova herself voices: "My country had reached bankruptcy and there was nowhere else for it to go. Everything had to burst!"
4 Reviews
a hard-core Mike Leigh's Naked
demyanov.fury22079 August 2000
Russian Mike Leigh's Naked, even more straight-in-the-face, even more disturbing and more poetic though painfully honest.
Truly full-blooded cinema, although astonishing in its hyperrealism and - if I may - psychological gore.
Also, probably the only film made by woman which cannot be referred to as a "film made by woman".
Highly recommended for M.Leigh's fans, plus - for some reason it feels logical - viewers interested in WongKarWai, MikeFiggis, maybe Jon Jost. However, I have to admit - whereas being close in its impact to WKW's Happy Together, it's not as romantic as Chungking Express/FallenAngels, hardly as nostalgic as Days of Being Wild and definitely different in many ways being compared to nearly anything either Figgis or Jost have ever done. ;-)
Truly full-blooded cinema, although astonishing in its hyperrealism and - if I may - psychological gore.
Also, probably the only film made by woman which cannot be referred to as a "film made by woman".
Highly recommended for M.Leigh's fans, plus - for some reason it feels logical - viewers interested in WongKarWai, MikeFiggis, maybe Jon Jost. However, I have to admit - whereas being close in its impact to WKW's Happy Together, it's not as romantic as Chungking Express/FallenAngels, hardly as nostalgic as Days of Being Wild and definitely different in many ways being compared to nearly anything either Figgis or Jost have ever done. ;-)
The Asthenic Syndrome
jboothmillard11 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Asthenia, otherwise known as hypochondria, or black melacholia, , is a preoccupation with one's health, that's the definition I got anyway. I just watched this Soviet / Russian film, and hoped it would be good, because I found it listed in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die. Basically it starts in black-and-white, with a woman named Natasha (Olga Antonova), who has recently buried her dead husband. After numerous times breaking down into tears, she goes into a severe state of constant depression, with occasionally being aggressive with other people, and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. This black-and-white story turns out to be a film within the real film, and the picture goes to colour. The lead character of this story is teacher Nikolai (Sergei Popov), who through a series of personal problems and predicaments at work has got asthenic syndrome, or maybe it is a form of narcolepsy. He cannot help falling asleep in various places at the most inappropriate times, and he has difficult relationships with his students and others. People try to help him with his disorder, until finally he is admitted to a mental hospital, he finds that these people are not as crazy as those he has seen that live in freedom. After some time, he is released from the hospital, but ends up falling asleep on the subway, and the empty train is seen going through a dark tunnel. Throughout the film there are also cutaways to almost random events, including a fat woman trying to play "Strangers in the Night" on a trumpet, and heartbreaking images of dogs caged up in captivity. Also starring Galina Zakhurdaeva as Masha (Blonde), Natalya Buzko as Masha (Brunette), Galina Kasperovich as Nikolai's Wife, Viktor Aristov as School Principal and Nikolai Semyonov as Head Doctor. I will be honest, I found the first 40 minutes in monochrome the most compelling, when it goes to colour, it has many odd moments, and I could only just follow the sleeping teacher story, it doeshave uncomfortable things happening in it, and it doesn't make a lot of sense, but I guess I can see why it got attention at the Berlin film festival, all in all, an unusual but interesting enough drama. Worth watching!
Not for me
ossie858 April 2023
The Asthenic Syndrome is a 1989 Russian film that, unfortunately, did not resonate with me. While I can appreciate the film's artistic vision and the unique approach it takes to its subject matter, I found myself struggling to engage with the story and the characters.
Directed by Kira Muratova, the film explores the lives of everyday people in Soviet Russia, portraying their struggles with grief, alienation, and despair. While I respect the film's attempt to delve into complex themes, I found the narrative structure and pacing to be disjointed and slow-moving, making it difficult to stay invested in the story.
Likewise, I struggled to connect with the characters, who often came across as emotionally distant and difficult to relate to. While this may have been intentional on the part of the filmmakers, it made it difficult for me to fully engage with the story.
That being said, I can appreciate the film's bold artistic vision and the way in which it explores complex themes through a unique lens. The cinematography and visual style of the film are often striking and visually arresting, adding an extra layer of depth and meaning to the story.
Overall, I cannot personally recommend The Asthenic Syndrome, as it did not resonate with me on an emotional or intellectual level. However, I recognize that others may find more value in the film's artistic merits and unique approach to storytelling.
Directed by Kira Muratova, the film explores the lives of everyday people in Soviet Russia, portraying their struggles with grief, alienation, and despair. While I respect the film's attempt to delve into complex themes, I found the narrative structure and pacing to be disjointed and slow-moving, making it difficult to stay invested in the story.
Likewise, I struggled to connect with the characters, who often came across as emotionally distant and difficult to relate to. While this may have been intentional on the part of the filmmakers, it made it difficult for me to fully engage with the story.
That being said, I can appreciate the film's bold artistic vision and the way in which it explores complex themes through a unique lens. The cinematography and visual style of the film are often striking and visually arresting, adding an extra layer of depth and meaning to the story.
Overall, I cannot personally recommend The Asthenic Syndrome, as it did not resonate with me on an emotional or intellectual level. However, I recognize that others may find more value in the film's artistic merits and unique approach to storytelling.
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