Beresina

The film depicts the disastrous retreat of Napoleon's army across the Berezina River in 1812, intertwined with a contemporary story of a group of young Russian actors preparing a play about the event. It contrasts the historical tragedy with the actors' personal struggles and ambitions, questioning the nature of truth, performance, and the cyclical nature of war and suffering.

Beresina was met with mixed to positive reviews, with many critics praising its ambitious visual style and thematic depth, while others found its narrative structure disjointed or its allegorical elements heavy-handed. It is generally considered a significant work in Daniel Schmid's filmography, appreciated for its artistic daring.

• Visually striking and thematically ambitious, exploring the horrors of war and the artificiality of performance.
• Narrative can be fragmented, with allegorical intentions sometimes overshadowing the drama.
• A unique and often unsettling cinematic experience that lingers in the mind.

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The film controversially uses historical footage from Soviet propaganda films and reenactments to depict the Napoleonic retreat, blending different eras of conflict and representation.