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The Cranes Are Flying
(dir. Kalatozov, 1957)
The Cranes are Flying is a film about a Soviet
woman's life during World War II. The love of Veronica's life, Boris, volunteers
for the front. He is a brave man fighting for the well being of the Soviet
Union. Meanwhile the film follows the story of his Veronica, "squirrel",
and the choices she makes. The Cranes are Flying won the Palme d'Or award
at the 1957 Cannes Film Festival.
FYI: for an informative review of Cranes
and Ballad of a Soldier, click here.
- How does the film, though Veronica and Irina, both reinforce
and subvert stereotypes about Soviet women?
- When Veronica overhears Fyodor speak ill of a woman who
betrays her fiance, it resonates deeply with her. What light does her reaction
to these words, and Fyodor's reaction to her shed on the characters, and how
might Soviet audiences have interpreted this scene?
- How does Mark's role in the film complicate the movie's
politics? What function does he serve?
- What is the "emotional camera?" Can you give an
illustrative example?
- What are the possible meanings of the cranes flying overhead
at the beginning and end of the film?