I saw the trailer for this just a few days ago (it looked good!) when I was at IFC to see what was a disappointing film (Certified Copy), so when I found out it was premiering today- I bought myself a ticket for the evening screening which included a Q&A with Director Robin Hessman.

It was so fascinating– kids raised under communism, the iron curtain falls and begin to piece together reality while at the same time coming of age. My Perestroika was engaging the whole way through, where documentaries usually feel clinical to me. This had humor, an intrinsically engaging subject matter, momentum, a very nicely laid out structure, and intimacy. You feel like you’re hearing from people you who are your friends (which while usually a goal, not so many directors accomplish very well). This isn’t a film about drama or disaster and victims, it’s about a mass cultural movement to enlightenment and being able to laugh at the world around you.

Synopsis from IFC:

Director in person Wed at 8:20, Thu at 6:20 and 8:20, Fri-Sat at 8:20!

This is the story of five ordinary Russians living in extraordinary times — from sheltered Soviet childhood, to the collapse of the USSR in their teenage years, to the constantly shifting political landscape of post-Soviet Russia. Weaving interviews of the one-time classmates together with rare home movie footage from the ’70s and ’80s and official Soviet propaganda films, MY PERESTROIKA paints a complex picture of the dreams and disillusionment of those raised behind the Iron Curtain.

NR, 88 Minutes, In Russian with English subtitles
USA/UK
Official Website: http://myperestroika.com

***

Though while it certainly warms me up to Russian culture, unfortunately the widespread xenophobia against Asians and people from the Caucuses will probably keep me from going there anytime in the near future.