Watch Harvest Time

Harvest Time is a 2004 Russian drama directed by Marina Razbezhkina. The film centres around the daily lives of a group of elderly farmers living in a remote village, struggling to make ends meet and finish the harvest before winter takes hold. The film opens on the arrival of a new schoolteacher, Marina, who has come to teach the children in the village. She quickly befriends the local farmers, and the film soon focuses on their conversations and routines. The farmers all have different personalities and outlooks on life, ranging from the optimistic and hardworking to the depressed and resigned.

One of the farmers, Nikolai, is struggling to pay back a loan from the local bank, and his farm is in danger of being repossessed. He is also struggling with the guilt of his son's suicide years earlier, and his grief has caused him to become bitter and withdrawn. Another farmer, Ivan, is dealing with his wife's alcoholism and his own crumbling health. He is stubborn and refuses to accept help from his neighbours, leading to friction between him and the others. The third main character, Maria, is a widow who is eagerly anticipating the return of her son from the city, but is unsure of whether he will come home or not.

The film is shot in a documentary style, with the camera following the farmers as they go about their daily routines. We see them plowing the fields, bickering with each other over trivial matters, and sharing their food and drink. The pace of the film is slow and meditative, allowing the viewer to immerse themselves in the world of the farmers and get a sense of their struggles.

As the harvest approaches, tensions rise as the farmers race against time to bring in the crops before the onset of winter. The weather is uncooperative, with rain and snow threatening to ruin their hard work. The film's climax comes during a church service, where the farmers come together and pray for a successful harvest. The scene is moving and underscores the deep spirituality that is present in the film.

Harvest Time is a beautiful and poignant film that captures the struggles of rural life in Russia. The performances by the actors are authentic and naturalistic, and the cinematography is gorgeous. The film is a meditation on the passing of time, the importance of community, and the resiliency of the human spirit. It is a must-see for anyone interested in Russian cinema or the daily lives of ordinary people.

Harvest Time is a 2004 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 7 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.