Of Freaks and Men

Starring:Sergei Makovetsky, Dinara Drukarova, Anzhelika Nevolina, Viktor Sukhorukov, Aleksei Dyo, Chingiz Tsydendambayev, Vadim Prokhorov, Aleksandr Mezentsev, Igor Shibanov, Dariya Lesnikova, Tatyana Polonskaya, Olga Straumit, Richard Bogutskii, Valeri Krishtapenko, Evgeniy Erokhin, Yuri Galtsev, Boris Smolkin, Mikhail Tryasorukov, Valeri Filonov, Anvar Libabov
Director: Aleksei Balabanov
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Description

This deliciously subversive, beautifully photographed film by award-winning Russian director Alexei Balabanov explores the seamy underside of the early 20th century upper classes. The sinister Johann and his wicked assistant, who photograph the floggings of bare-bottomed women, maneuver their way into two well-to-do families, involving them in their pornographic schemes. Darkly humorous and startlingly original, this compelling tale reveals the manipulation and revenge, hidden passions and sadomasochistic urges, underlying the charm and propriety of Victorian society. Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival.

Customer Reviews:

"Cinema will reveal truth to the common folk.".......2005-07-24

Arrgh! This film had such potential but blew it! Set in early 1900's Russia OF FREAKS AND MEN is about a young hot woman whose rich father dies and leaves his estate to his maid thinking she will take the place of the girl's dead mother and raise the girl correctly. In reality though the maid is in cahoots with some freaky pornographers who enjoy making films about the daughter getting spanked.

Very, very hot huh? Het. I was wanting it to get superhot. I even turned down the air conditioning to 65 just in case, but sadly even though the movie had some beautiful cinematography it never really went anywhere.

Recommended for artistic value and interesting story idea, but nothing except for a little sleepy spanking on the hot-o-meter.

Don't worry about clicking on the "special features" it ain't nothing but subtitles!

Also when "Nanny" dies she's still breathing and moving her lips.

movie shows hitting children leads to sexual problems.......2004-03-29

On the outside, Of Freaks and Men is about the Mafia and Spanking Porn. Yet the Message is deeper than found in many hollywood movies.

Of Freaks and Men is telling you something where it is not telling you something. It doesn't say what the relationship between Johan and "nanny" is. Why does Johan cry so much when she dies? She is unawares of her surroundings except when she is beating someone. In tsarist russia, these beatings were common until the Bolshevik Revolution outlawed beatings in 1917. Schools ended all forms of punishment. This film is easier to understand for Russians who commonly see erotica on TV, than for Americans for whom erotica signifies a porno flick.
For aristocratic cultures, like Britain, the "english nanny" plays the twisted role portrayed in the film. They are not parents. An erotic element usually underlies relationships. Lisa's nanny is Johan's sister who was probably raised by the same nanny in turn. Grunya does not react any more than Johan does when she sees Lisa beaten. How does Lisa get a fascination with beatings? The film raises these questions but does not answer them. Despite all the pornography, the song of the cab-driver in the movie has a meaning deeper than found in American movies, and one that is not understood in the US. School beatings are a "way of life" in the South, says a Texas youth. Corporal punishment causes crime and sexual problems because it is both.

Movie exposes hitting children leads to sexual problems.......2004-03-29

On the outside, Of freaks and Men is about the mafia and spanking porn. It starts and ends with photos taken by the mobsters. Yet the film's meaning is deeper than in most hollywood movies. American audiences also need to understand that sex is much more explicit in Northern European movies.

Of Freaks and Men is telling you something where it is not telling you something. It doesn't say what the relationship between Johan and "nanny" is. Why does Johan cry so much when she dies? She is unawares of her surroundings except when she is beating someone.
The film will be easier to understand for Russians. In tsarist Russia, these beatings were common until the Bolshevik Revolution outlawed beatings in 1917 and schools ended all forms of punishment.
For aristocratic cultures, like Britain, the "english nanny" plays the twisted role portrayed in the film. They are not parents. An erotic element usually underlies relationships. Lisa's nanny is Johan's sister who was probably raised by the same nanny in turn. Grunya does not react any more than Johan does when she sees Lisa beaten. How does Lisa get a fascination with beatings? The film raises these questions but does not answer them. Despite all the pornography, the song of the cab-driver in the movie has a meaning deeper than found in American movies, and one that is not understood in the US. School beatings are a "way of life" in the South, says a Texas youth. Corporal punishment causes crime and sexual problems because it is both.

Of Freaks And Men.......2003-10-13

Of Freaks and men is a an astonsihing and powerful film. The first time i saw it, i thought the location and the way it was filmed was just mesmorising. The camera techniques the director performs really mix well with the emotional parts, and the comedic parts. The fact that it was filmed in one distinct colour really puts the cherry on the cake for this film. Each cast member gives a powerful, but realistic performance in this fantastic story. Of Freaks And Men is really a tale to engage into.

Very well-filmed movie.......2002-11-05

Indeed - very well-done. The action takes place in Saint-Petersburg in the beginning of the XX century - to attract viewers attention to the time depicting, the director films it in yellowish colours - not in black and white, and taking into consideration the plot of the movie, this colour scheme brings the feeling of something which is not normal, crazy and strange. Sergey Makovetskiy (leading part) acts brilliantly - as good as in no other of his movies.

Average customer rating:

Pro urodov i ludey (Of Freaks and Men)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001P2E2Q

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