Movie spotlight
Five Girls Around the Neck
Five Girls Around the Neck, in 1967, set out to explore that critical age of adolescence when a person's character is formed for good or evil. Schorm examined a girl's problems of being giving too much. She tries to buy the goodwill of her less fortunate friends; her intentions are pure, but in the difficulty of communicating she learns envy and deceit, and must decide if she will submit to double dealing or steel her life against self-deception and mediocrity. In addition to the relationship between the girl and her friends, Schorm introduces a teenage romance and the broader relationship between the girl's parents - neatly tied together with segments of Weber's opera "Der Freischütz". He reveals himself as a skilled psychological director with a wide range of knowledge about people.
Insights
Plot Summary
Set in a provincial town, the film follows the lives of five young women and their struggles with love, ambition, and societal expectations in the post-war Soviet Union. Each woman grapples with her personal desires and the realities of her environment, leading to complex emotional journeys. The narrative explores themes of disillusionment and the search for fulfillment against a backdrop of ordinary lives.
Critical Reception
The film was a notable release in Soviet cinema, praised for its sensitive portrayal of female characters and their internal struggles. While not a major international hit, it resonated with audiences for its realistic depiction of everyday life and emotional depth. Critics at the time often highlighted the strong performances, particularly from the lead actresses.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its empathetic character studies of young women.
Noted for its realistic depiction of Soviet provincial life.
Appreciated for strong performances, especially from the female cast.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film is based on a play by the same name by Anatoly Kuznetsov, the author of the famous novel 'Babi Yar'.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources