Burnt By The Sun

Mikhalkov's Burnt By The Sun was set during the 1930's which was a prime decade for violence within the USSR. The movie opens showing images of a glowing red star and red flags. These images seemed to be referred to throughout the movie. I found it intriguing how Mikhalkov presented Mitya as such an upstanding guy but then crushed our image of him, as well as anti-Soviet feelings, at the end of the film. We still aren't sure of Mitya's motive for arresting Kotov but I do believe they are more political than personal based on the fact that he still seemed to care about Marusia and his overwhelming love for Nadya.

I also noticed some Russian comedy in the film. For instance, when the man is continuely looking for the city (?) that doesn't seem to exsist. I think this is representative of the Soviet's followers mindless search for a fufillment that doesn't exsist. I think the repitition of the tune "Burnt by the Sun" represents Kotov's "burn" due the Soviet Union. I also think the tune holds the signifigance in that it seems omniscent of what happens to Kotov and many other Soviet followers.

The sexual tension, the raw emotion, and the bits and pieces of action really make this movie a winner in my book!