Works about the Russian countryside are a special genre. A window into the world, familiar to everyone since childhood - even if it is not personal acquaintance. The village is known for fairy tales and a book, for films and folk songs. There are even separate, recognizable characters, almost archetypes. He’s a hit man, a wise old man, a kind grandmother, a local drunkard, the first guy in the village, a beautiful girl ... You don’t even need descriptions, everyone will immediately present the character you need, just by reading the “code” of the definition. All these images have long lived in literature and in cinema. Russian comedies about the village can be both a monstrous example of kitsch and piercing sincerity and kindness with films that can be watched many times, getting a lot of pleasure.
"Wedding in Robin"
Old Russian comedies about the village are still interesting to the viewer. The film, which is almost 50 years old, is “The Wedding at the Robin,” and everyone has seen it. The replicas from this film went into quotes, images embodied by wonderful actors - these are almost living people, familiar to every viewer. Perhaps contemporaries will not be delighted with the abundance of musical numbers, and the image quality, of course, leaves much to be desired. But the rest of the movie is wonderful. Uncomplicated, kind, cheerful. The audience will especially remember the images of the retired artilleryman Yashka, the joker and the “connoisseur of the world” and Popandopulo, the Minister of Finance of the non-existent republic.
The only objective minus of the film is its excessive ideologization. But many Russian comedies about the village of that time sin this. In Wedding at the Robin, propaganda at least does not look intrusive, it is perceived simply as a feature of the genre.
"Love and pigeons"
Of course, every Russian audience is familiar with Vasily Kuzyakin. And if someone else is not familiar - it means you need to urgently get acquainted! This is a character in Vladimir Menshov's film Love and Doves. Prior to this, the director shot the melodrama “Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears”, and “Love and Pigeons” was his debut in the genre of “Village Russian Comedies”. Menshov also made an excellent film about the village. Although he was not awarded an Oscar, everyone loves him, young and old, and has been watching him for 30 years. The history of the village workaholic Vasya, a naive romanticist and lover of pigeons. Vasily has been married for a long time, he has almost grown children - and this is the first time in many years that Vasya has been given a ticket to a sanatorium. And there - a fatal meeting with a passionate exotic woman performed by Lyudmila Gurchenko. The ordeals of the unlucky Casanova cause the viewer both laughter and tears.
Vasily Kuzyakin in his naive unluckiness causes sincere sympathy, but how funny it is to follow the characters in the film! And there is someone to look at. Russian comedies about the village can be proud of the participation of legendary actors. The wonderful acting works of Alexander Mikhailov, Lyudmila Gurchenko, Nina Doroshina, Sergei Jurassic deserve sincere admiration.
Trilogy with the participation of Mikhail Evdokimov
Colorful Russian comedies about the village - “About businessman Thomas,” “Do not play the fool” and “Do not send us ... a messenger." In the first, second, and third films, Mikhail Evdokimov plays - actor, comedian, politician - governor of the Altai Territory.
We can say that these Russian comedies about the village are somewhat exaggerated. The amount of alcohol per capita there clearly exceeds global average standards. But this does not prevent the villagers brilliantly from difficult situations, establish international relations, fight corruption and seek the truth. And they do it all fun, fervently and cheerfully. Special mention deserves the Evdokimov. He created a cross-cutting image of a "real Russian peasant." Not too well-mannered, but kind and strong-willed, not too smart, but with the wit everything is in order. And also strong, working and reliable. A rare appeal image.
"Kazan Orphan"
In the 90s, Russian comedies about the village were a popular topic. But if the trilogy described above is a “Kondovaya” village, drinking and rollicking, then in “Kazan Orphan” everything is different. This is a good New Year story shot by Vladimir Mashkov, this is his directorial debut.
The roles involved are
Valentin Gaft, Lev Durov and Oleg Tabakov. They play the alleged fathers of an orphan girl Nastya. The fact is that she never saw her father. All she knows is that Mom met Dad somewhere in the sanatorium. Here Nastya publishes in the newspaper the only letter from her mother addressed to her unknown lover. Three people are responding - a magician, a military pilot and a ship cook. Now it’s up to you to find out which of them is the real father. Or nobody?
"Do not be sad"
Now they are also making films about the village. Russian comedies in 2010 were replenished with the film “No Need to Grieve” directed by Ivan Bychkov. Evgeny Stychkin, Vladimir Ilyin, Fedor Dobronravov are involved in the film. These actors are practically a guarantee that the comedy will be funny and of high quality. What is the movie about? In the village of Small Zaseki, the farmer Savely lives. And he dreams of raising a bull with real "marble" meat - such as is served in the best restaurants in Europe. He feeds the calf according to the instructions, gives him a massage every day, and even drinks alcohol. But a hefty bull grew up from a calf named Tyson, Savelius doesn’t raise a hand to kill him, and the animal demands a bucket of alcohol every day , because it’s used to it! On top of all the troubles, brother Eugene, a ruined businessman, comes to Savely. And he has a ton of ideas on how exactly you can earn in the village. This is where the real problems begin.
"Plot"
This series is not entirely comedic, although there is enough humor in it. Well, these are often movies about the village. Russian comedies about the village are often really tragicomedy, humor in them is diluted with everyday life, and life is rarely fun.
The intractable city policeman was sent "for demotion" - to the precinct in the village of Anisovka. It is there that the young investigator finds his true calling. Many will watch this film because the main role is played by the popular actor Sergei Bezrukov. Those for whom this name is not an indicator of quality should just read the list of names of the actors involved in the series. Valery Zolotukhin, Vladimir Menshov, Andrey Krasko, Mikhail Efremov,
Ekaterina Vasilyeva, Alexander Semchev ... In this series, the secondary characters are often much brighter and deeper than the main characters. A short appearance in the frame of Zolotukhin or Vasilyeva is a holiday for connoisseurs of good acting.