Khrustalyvov, My Car!

Have you ever watched a film that's not only good but shatters any preconceived notions you had about how a narrative should look and feel on the big screen? Aleksei German's "Khrustalyov, My Car!" is that kind of film. Taking place very close to the actual date of Joseph Stalin's death, German's second-to-last project is an uncompromising work about the national fears of anti-Semitism that ran through Russia during 1953. And, as is German's wont, he drags the viewer kicking and screaming through that national nightmare filled with unfounded accusations and humans acting at their absolute worst.

General Yuri Georgievich Klensky (Yuri Tsurilo) is arrested near the tail end of Stalin's Russia during the famous "doctors' plot" where Jewish doctors were rounded up and accused of trying to overthrow the Russian government with help from the United States of America. Of course, those claims were later found to be terribly wrong, but Gen. Klenksy is nonetheless sent to a gulag to serve out his prison sentence and probably be executed. The film follows his disturbing journey and how Stalin falling ill sent many members of the Russian elite into a violent fervor.

Talking about any of German's films in definite terms feels like a fruitless venture, as his works are labyrinthine and defy categorization. With "Hard to Be a God," the legendary Russian writer/director sets his sights on what it means to be human at a crucial point in the history of the human race. Here's the catch, though: it all takes place on a fictional planet called Arkanar. And even though "Khrustalyov, My Car!" has narrative roots in events that actually happened, it feels no less dedicated to studying the reflexivity of human will when faced with insurmountable emotional and physical obstacles. To watch one of German's films isn't about following along with the plot as it goes from point A to point B, it's about sitting in the passenger car of a train that's on its way to some terrifying inevitability. What that inevitability is? We don't know, and it's kind of a fruitless pursuit to pin it down. Just let the experience wash over you, then watch it many more times to try to pick up on small details that hint at why such a bold take on history is important to exist.

The new Blu-ray release by the Arrow Academy label under Arrow Films is almost just as uncompromising as the film itself. The new 2K restoration from the original camera negative is a beautiful sight that I'd imagine German would be proud of; moreover, this limited edition set comes with a slew of special features that reward the viewer for trying to dissect the motivations and inspirations behind the film. It goes without saying here that this Blu-ray is a must-own. Special features include:

� Newly translated English subtitles
� Audio commentary by producer Daniel Bird
� "Between Realism and Nightmare," a new video essay on Khrustalyov, "My Car!" and the films of Aleksei German by historian and film critic Eug�nie Zvonkine
� "Diagnosis Murder: Jonathan Brent on The Doctors' Plot" - the academic talks about Stalin's anti-Semitic campaign, which provides the backdrop for "Khrustalyov, My Car!"
� Aleksei German, the veteran film historian and critic Ron Holloway interviews the Russian director
� "German... At Last," an interview with Aleksei German by producer Guy S�ligmann
� Limited edition 60-page booklet featuring new writing by Gianna D'Emilio, an archival essay by Jo�l Chaperon and original reviews

"Khrustalyov, My Car!"
Arrow Films Blu-ray
$49.95
https://mvdb2b.com/s/KhrustalyovMyCarLimitedEdition/AA043