Leningrad (2009)

Leningrad Poster

When in 1941 Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union, their troops quickly besieged Leningrad. Foreign journalists are evacuated but one of them, Kate Davies, is presumed dead and misses the plane. Alone in the city she is helped by Nina Tsvetnova a young and idealist police officer and together they will fight for their own survival and the survival of the people in the besieged Leningrad.

Title: Leningrad

Release Year: 2009

Summary
"Leningrad" is a historic war drama set throughout World War II and the siege of Leningrad by Nazi Germany. Launched in 2009 and directed by Aleksandr Buravsky, the movie represents the gritty truth of survival throughout among the most dangerous sieges in modern-day history. War journalist Kate Davis gets caught in the city while attempting to report on the circumstance. Through her eyes, the audience witnesses the horrific scenarios and indomitable spirit of the people of Leningrad.

Plot
The movie opens with British reporter, Kate Davis, journeying to Russia to report on the early state of World War II. She gets unexpectedly caught in Leningrad when German forces surround the city, cutting off all materials, consisting of food and heating. As winter season sets in, the circumstance inside the city intensifies, with individuals succumbing to hunger and freezing temperature levels.

Amidst this bleak situation, Kate meets a couple named Nina and Misha, who are eking out a weak existence. Nina is a law enforcement officer, who typically returns house with weak food materials for her spouse, who is a writer and does not leave their apartment.

When Kate's attempts to escape the city fail, she is forced to stick with Nina and Misha. They share their everyday struggles, revealing the human stories amidst the desolation and the fortitude of people living under siege. Kate forms a bond with this couple as they try to help each other survive with minimal resources, typically needing to compromise their moral compass.

Production and Casting
The movie boasts an international cast, including Gabriel Byrne and Mira Sorvino, along with Russian actors like Armin Mueller-Stahl and Olga Sutulova. Each star brings a human touch to their role, representing the traumatic situations with a rawness that immerses the audience in the on-screen conditions.

"Leningrad" features remarkable production values, reflecting the scale of the historical occasion it represents. The comprehensive set designs and costumes successfully carry the audience back to war-torn Leningrad, which makes the plight of the characters much more poignant.

Important Response
"Leningrad" gained both critical and audience appreciation for its plain representation of survival throughout among history's most brutal sieges and human resilience in the face of extreme hardship. Critics praised the film for not shying away from portraying the harsh truths of life under siege, including starvation, cannibalism, and deadly cold. The efficiencies, especially from Mira Sorvino and Olga Sutulova, received awards for bringing their characters to life with depth and level of sensitivity.

Nevertheless, some critics mentioned that the film typically has a melodramatic tone and does not have comprehensive character advancement. Regardless of these small shortcomings, "Leningrad" supplies a visceral representation of a historic event that continues to resonate profoundly with audiences today.

Conclusion
"Leningrad" is a gripping movie that integrates components of survival, human resilience, and historical drama. Despite its gloomy setting, it stresses the indomitable spirit of humankind throughout times of extreme difficulty. With strong performances and a compelling plot, "Leningrad" uses a poignant look at among World War II's grimmest chapters.

Top Cast

  • Gabriel Byrne (small)
    Gabriel Byrne
    Philip Parker
  • Mira Sorvino (small)
    Mira Sorvino
    Kate Davis
  • Armin Mueller-Stahl (small)
    Armin Mueller-Stahl
    von Leeb
  • Alexander Beyer (small)
    Alexander Beyer
    Walter Hoesdorff
  • Christian Berkel (small)
    Christian Berkel
    Vinkelmeyer
  • Eckehard Hoffmann
    Adolf Hitler
  • Olga Sutulova (small)
    Olga Sutulova
    Nina Tsvetkova
  • Aleksandr Abdulov (small)
    Aleksandr Abdulov
    Chigasov
  • Mikhail Efremov (small)
    Mikhail Efremov
    Omelchenko
  • Vladimir Ilin (small)
    Vladimir Ilin
    Malinin
  • Alyona Stebunova (small)
    Alyona Stebunova
    Sonya Krasko