Piece Comment

Review of RN Documentary: The Volga Boatmen


This is a charming piece, well-produced, many will recognize the recurrent musical theme in the background.

The interviews with Russian speakers are musical in themselves.

Explores the many ways the musical themes have been adapted by composers and musicians. The theme has been used in American films and soundtracks. Like deja vu, brings back strange feelings of 'been-there'. The Song is so reminiscent of a dirge, and, if it truly represents the Russian soul, explains a lot.

Gives one the desire to go find an art museum that might have examples of Russian paintings of the Volga Boatmen and to find the Gorky book, just to see the results of that influence.

Seems like this piece has sat here neglected for a long time, but it is timeless and worthy of consideration.