Leaving Lenin
Leaving Lenin

Movie spotlight

Leaving Lenin

1994
Movie
93 min
Welsh

Seven teenagers and three teachers from a Welsh school visit Russia in a bid to rediscover themselves. On the overnight sleeper service to St Petersburg the students get separated from the teachers, which allows the students ample scope for rediscovery.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Agnieszka HollandGenres: Drama, History, War

Plot Summary

In 1920, amid the Russian Civil War, a disillusioned Red Army soldier is tasked with escorting a mysterious woman and her child across the vast, war-torn landscape. As they journey through perilous territories, the soldier grapples with his loyalties and the true meaning of the revolution. Their path is fraught with danger from both sides of the conflict, forcing them to confront betrayal, sacrifice, and the complex realities of a nation in turmoil.

Critical Reception

Leaving Lenin received mixed to positive reviews, with critics praising its atmospheric direction and strong performances, particularly from the lead actors. Some found the narrative to be somewhat slow-paced, but generally, it was considered a thoughtful and visually striking film exploring the human cost of revolution.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually compelling with a strong sense of atmosphere.

  • Features powerful performances that anchor the historical drama.

  • Some viewers found the pacing to be uneven.

Google audience: Audience reviews for Leaving Lenin are not widely available. However, historical critical reception suggests an appreciation for its artistic direction and thematic depth, though some found its narrative progression to be less engaging.

Fun Fact

Director Agnieszka Holland, known for her work on films like 'Europa Europa' and 'The Secret Garden', chose this story to explore the complex and often tragic consequences of ideological upheaval.

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