Watch Ivan Brovkin on the virgin lands

Ivan Brovkin on the Virgin Lands is a charmingly nostalgic Soviet film that was released in 1958. As a sequel to the successful 1955 film "Ivan Brovkin on the State Farm", this continuation was directed by Ivan Lukinsky and once again stars Leonid Kharitonov as the eponymous Ivan Brovkin. The colorful tapestry of the Soviet Union's era is fascinatingly depicted through the journey of Ivan Brovkin, a character who embodies the innocence and determination of youth, as well as the patriotic zeal that was promulgated during the time. The movie's backdrop is the Khrushchev-era initiative of the "Virgin Lands Campaign," a massive agricultural project aimed at boosting the Soviet Union's grain production by cultivating previously unused lands in the vast expanses of Kazakhstan and Siberia.

Ivan Brovkin on the Virgin Lands begins with our protagonist, Ivan, who has already established himself as a beloved character in the first film, continuing his service to the motherland after his time at the state farm. He now finds himself swept into the fervor of this new national campaign, which carries a sense of boundless opportunity and the Promethean aim of conquering nature to feed the people.

The narrative explores Ivan's adventures and misadventures as he volunteers to work on the virgin lands. Clad in optimism and the iconic Russian "ushanka" hat, Ivan leaves his familiar surroundings and his beloved Lyubasha, bringing with him the same innocent zeal for work and life that had endeared him to audiences in his cinematic debut.

As Ivan integrates into this new environment, the story unfolds both as a personal journey and a tableau of the collective spirit of the Soviet people at the time. The virgin lands are sprawling and challenging, putting the mettle of the workers to the test, but they also serve as a crucible for camaraderie, human spirit, and the socialist ideals of the period.

One of the film's strengths lies in its ability to paint a multidimensional picture of the era. It doesn't shy away from presenting the hardships and complexities faced by the volunteers, from adapting to the rugged steppe life to overcoming agricultural hurdles. In essence, it delivers a balanced measure of reality—and the utopian ambition that drove the Soviet Union's massive projects.

The film also provides a window into the rustic and pastoral aspects of Soviet life. Whether it's through the depiction of communal living or the large, state-organized harvest festivals, Ivan Brovkin on the Virgin Lands serves as a valuable vignette of a time when collective farming was seen as a cornerstone of national policy and pride.

Throughout the film, humor and warmth are never far away. Ivan's affable persona is the perfect conduit for light-hearted moments and comedic relief, which ensures that the movie remains family-friendly and approachable. His naïveté and straightforwardness often lead to delightful situations while also underscoring the message of personal growth and resilience.

In this adventure, romance and friendship also play central roles. Even as Ivan is geographically separated from Lyubasha, their relationship continues to evolve and adds an emotional depth to the film. Moreover, friendships forged in the shared pursuit of transforming the wilderness into bountiful fields add a layer of interpersonal drama and character development.

What's particularly striking about Ivan Brovkin on the Virgin Lands is the cinematic depiction of the Soviet people's idealism. The state-driven narrative presents the hard work and sacrifice of the volunteers as an integral part of the nation's progress. The use of landscape shots, work montages, and folk music further enhances the patriotic flavor of the film, embedding it into the cultural psyche of the era.

The film serves both as a cinematic time capsule and as a piece of entertainment. Its underlying messages—about the value of hard work, the collective over the individual, and unwavering optimism—are all characteristic of the post-war Soviet cinema. However, beyond its historical and ideological significance, Ivan Brovkin on the Virgin Lands stands out for its storytelling, humor, and the charisma of its lead character.

While hailing from a bygone era and a political context that has since drastically evolved, Ivan Brovkin on the Virgin Lands remains a relevant piece of Soviet cultural heritage. Its appeal comes from its depiction of human experiences that transcend time and ideology: the thirst for adventure, the sweetness of first love, and the universal quest for self-discovery and purpose.

Ivan Brovkin on the virgin lands is a 1958 war movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes.