Come & See

COME & SEE (IDI I SMOTRI) (15)

D: Elem Klimov

Sovexportfilm / Belarusfilm / Mosfilm (Stepan Tereshchenko)

USSR 1985

142 mins

War

W: Elem Klimov & Ales Adamovich [based on the novel “Khatyn” by Ales Adamovich & Camilla Stein; and the memoir “I Am From The Fiery Village” by Ales Adamovich]

DP: Aleksei Rodionov

Ed: Valeriya Belova

Mus: Oleg Yanchenko

Aleksei Kravchenko (Flyora), Olga Miranova (Glasha), Liubomiras Laucevičius (Kosach), Vladas Bagdonas (Rubezh), Tatyana Shestakova (Flora’s Mother)

Come & See may very well be the most harrowing war film ever made.

This Soviet film, released in 1985, may also feature one of the most haunting performances from a juvenile actor, as it follows the journey of Flyora, played by 15-year-old Aleksei Kravchenko, as he joins the Russian resistance as Nazi forces are closing in on his village.

The film finely balances harsh documentary-style realism and artistic surrealism throughout its 142 minute run time, and though it’s a film depicting events you really don’t want to watch, you can’t quite bring yourself to turn away either.

Elem Klimov wants the audience to know that World War II was literally hell on Earth and succeeds, though the plaudits really belong to the young lead actor, Aleksei Kravchenko, who quite literally ages as the film reaches its stark, graphic conclusion.

An excellent piece of cinema that will haunt you long after it’s finished, though it’s a film that you’re highly unlikely to subject yourself to rewatching.  Once was more than enough for any lifetime.

8/10