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Beanpole

Seen it?

2019 | 134 min | Drama, War

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (93% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved Civil War or Born on the Fourth of July, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Intense.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 14 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in Russian, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

1945, Leningrad. World War II has devastated the city, demolishing its buildings and leaving its citizens in tatters, physically and mentally. Two young women, Iya and Masha, search for meaning and hope in the struggle to rebuild their lives amongst the ruins.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.0 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    Won 2 Cannes awards: Cannes Film Festival: FIPRESCI Prize - Un Certain Regard, Cannes Film Festival: Best Director - Un Certain Regard. Plus 2 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerWeak

    $2 million worldwide

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 18K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Kantemir Balagov

  • Viktoriya MiroshnichenkoIya Sergueeva
  • Vasilisa PerelyginaMasha
  • Konstantin BalakirevStepan
  • Kseniya KutepovaLyubov Petrovna
  • Olga DragunovaSeamstress
  • Andrey BykovNikolay Ivanovich
  • Igor ShirokovSasha
  • Timofey GlazkovPashka
  • Alyona KuchkovaStepan's Wife
  • Veniamin KacSasha's Friend