The movie provided excellent visuals of stripping away a society and categorize individuals into two compartments: Survivor and Weak. It appears most of the people did not know much of anything other than the muddy domain where they reside. The movie reminded me that my reality could consist of this lifestyle, but as of today I'm living in a society with borders. As the Roman Empire collapsed, no laws or borders protected the people that took safety for granted. Power can be transparent in the American society, normally gauged by money or government ranks. "Hard to be a God" provides a story with very little plot, which would be a society that collapsed. The daily routine would be wake up, find food, try not to die.

Visceral black and white condemnation of the extraordinary potential for superstition, religion and rule by force to enact the most brutal treatment of others, from Russian brothers Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, brought to the screen by Aleksei German. Will we ever reach that place so powerfully imagined by these people, where such a state as Arkankar is unthinkable? Still loved in Russia, during the Soviet period the dream of progress that caused the Strugatsky's to create the Noon Universe, of which the story for this film is one piece, must have been an achingly tangible and at the same time impossible fantasy. In any case, German has taken the idea and without flinching shown the worst of us, while imagining the best of us. Great cinematography, close quarters conversations a la Robert Altman, and images you won't forget.

Scientists are sent to an earth like planet where they discover a medieval society which did not have the benefit of a Renaissance and certainly no Enlightenment. The Intelligentsia of this society are hunted down and executed. Some flee to a safer part of their world in hopes of surviving. Ignorance and filth are the lot of these miserable people. I must admit the premise of this movie grabbed me. Sci-Fi with social implications? Are you kidding? Deal me in!After the first 30 minutes I turned it off. A movie has 30 minutes to bring me in and hold me. That's it. Now you have to remember this movie is made by Russian director Alexei German. He's highly acclaimed by sophisticated, artsy types. Apparently this film took a decade to complete and bring to the screen. But the similarities between this film and most Russian Literature were too striking for me. I've heard Russian Literature described thus: 5 people stand around talking for three hours and then someone's aunt dies. Be still my beating heart.In this film, all the characters walk around covered in mud and human feces. They drown in feces and smear it on their faces while smiling.There is one particularly captivating scene where the local duke wakes up in his squalid castle, picks a cockroach out of a glass of wine from the night before, flicks the roach onto the ground and spits into the wine. But wait. That's not all. The tension builds as he walks around followed by servants who swat bugs for him while playing some sort of clarinet for about 5 minutes. The same 4 notes with very slight variation. 5 minutes. At this point my heart nearly burst from my heaving chest. I must though give credit where credit is due. The Director and Producers have succeeded in creating an utterly convincing world here. It completely breaks down the 4th wall. You feel as if you're there and it's thoroughly depressing as a result. Russians are a different sort of people I guess. I suppose that's what the artsy types are conveying when they gush over this film. I will offer praise on that but it must be said that filming in black and white does half of that job for you. Like Paul Simon said, "Everything looks worse in black and white."But apparently I'm not sophisticated enough to watch people roll around in mud and their own fecal matter for 3 hours. Yes. It's a 3 hour movie.

I can honestly say I've never seen another film like this one, which is both a compliment and a warning. The cinematography immediately caught my eye, and held its grip throughout the three hour run-time. The visuals were disgusting, hypnotic, boring, and suspenseful in equal measure. My engagement would've waned early if not for how it was filmed, with the camera becoming as important a character as those it presents. Peasants gawk at the lens, chickens and owls fly into view from behind our view, and various cages, chains, veils, and hung corpses occupy the forefront while the actors talk in the background. It's authenticity is palpable. You really feel like you're hopelessly trapped in the Middle Ages. The visuals hold the film together where the story falters. Congrats if you can follow what's going on, but I suspect it's meant to be a fever dream of weighty conversations, crass segues, and maudlin atmosphere. An interesting watch to be sure, but not nearly as powerful as it was clearly going for. If you're already a fan of experimental cinema, give it a try. Casual movie watchers won't get through 30 minutes.