Dead Man's Lettes (aka Lettes from a Dead Man, 1986)

Let’s get this right of the bat: Dead Man’s Letters is a masterpiece; one of the greatest movies I’ve ever witnessed.

A Russian town after nuclear war. Professor Larsen, a Nobel Prize in Physics laureate, lives with his sick wife and few other survivors in the basement of a museum. For the next 88 mins you will witness pure, soul eating bleakness.

Talking about the story doesn’t make sense, as it’s not the point. Dead Man’s Letters is very much akin to Tarkowsky’s movies. It’s poetry and meditation on human condition. There are long stretches of nothing but inner monologue of main character who thinks. Not much of comment, but rather a study. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed this type of movie outside Russian cinema. It’s not Bunuel, it’s not Kubrick - but at the same it’s very much this type of movie. More of an experience, than a 3 act story.

It’s also one of the saddest movies I’ve experienced. No one is fighting for the future. They simply exist, waiting for the end. The only glimmer of hope is Larsen who thinks the was ended. But no one believes him. Maybe he even doesn’t believe himself?

The visual side very much reflects it. There are no real colors, everything is monochromatic but colorized. Just like in German Impressionism or Stalker’s scenes outside of The Zone. The movie is full of special effects, but none of them aim at wowing the viewer. You witness despair and the despair becomes part of you. Luckily, this is only 88 mins long - anything longer and it would be unbearable.

An old, white man wearing glasses. In sepia — The "hero" [source]

Two characters sitting by a metallic table. On the left, an old man hiding his face in his hands. On the right a balding white man. The scene is blue. — You won't glimpse much happiness here. [source]

The movie is a directorial debut of Konstantin Lopushansky and was co-written by Boris Strutsky. Strugatskys Brothers are one of the greatest writers of intelligent (up to a fault) SciFi, and Borise’s talent is clearly shown here. Just like in their books, the story is there as means to an end; a medium to discuss humanity. It’s not an easy movie to watch. It requires focus, dedication and a lot of thinking. You will get lost in it, and the movie may stay with you for a while - even though it won’t ever be pleasant. It’s an unforgettable experience. Too bad it’s not widely known in the west. Maybe it’s simply too convoluted? Or maybe it’s just too different. Anyway, a masterpiece. I encourage everyone to at least try to experience it.