Watch Compartment No. 6

Compartment No. 6 is a Finnish drama film, directed by Juho Kuosmanen and released in 2021, starring Seidi Haarla, Yuriy Borisov, and Dinara Drukarova. The movie is based on a novel of the same name written by Rosa Liksom. It premiered at the 74th Cannes International Film Festival and won the Grand Prix award. The story is set in 1995 when the Soviet Union had collapsed, and many people were trying to leave Moscow. The plot follows the journey of a Finnish student, named Laura (Seidi Haarla), who decides to travel alone to the city of Murmansk in Russia, to study the history of the mining industry. However, the journey turns out to be a bumpy ride, as Laura faces many challenges on her way. She has to take a long and uncomfortable train ride in a third-class train carriage, and share her compartment with a stranger, named Ljoha (Yuriy Borisov), a Russian miner who is going back home after an unsuccessful attempt to work in Finland.

Initially, Laura is hesitant to interact with Ljoha due to the language barrier and cultural differences. Ljoha is a rough around the edges type of guy, who speaks only Russian and is not very conversant in English. However, as the journey progresses, they start to connect with each other, despite the language barrier. They start to understand each other's lives and cultures, share their experiences, and even develop a camaraderie through their mutual love for music.

This unlikely friendship comes to life against the backdrop of the harsh and isolated landscapes of the Arctic Circle. The train journey is portrayed in a raw and realistic way, giving the audience a glimpse into the starkness of the journey, and the challenges faced by the people traveling in third-class carriages.

As Laura and Ljoha share their own stories, the audience is shown a glimpse into the tough lives of the people in Russia's north. Ljoha is a miner who has been laid off from his job due to the economic crisis. He is quitting his dreams of a better life in the west, and is facing a bleak and uncertain future as he returns to his hometown. Meanwhile, Laura is trying to escape her mundane life in Finland, and is searching for an adventure to fill the void.

The movie is not just about the journey of two strangers on a train, it is also an emotional journey of self-discovery for the two characters. It touches upon themes of cultural differences, language barriers, loneliness, and the harsh realities of life in Russia's north.

The direction and cinematography are a standout aspect of the movie. The snowy landscapes, cramped train compartments, and narrow hallways, all contribute in creating an atmosphere of claustrophobia, isolation, and tension, which heightens the emotional impact of the story.

The performances of the lead actors are also commendable. Seidi Haarla and Yuriy Borisov bring their characters to life with authenticity and sensitivity. They convey a range of emotions through their facial expressions, without resorting to melodrama or overacting, making the audience feel invested in their story.

Overall, Compartment No. 6 is a beautiful and poignant movie, which celebrates human connections and bonds, despite language and cultural differences. It is a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and friendship, set against the harsh realities of life in Russia's north. A must-watch for anyone who loves authentic and poignant stories, told with great sensitivity and finesse.

Compartment No. 6 is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 80.