The Edge had opening night honours, launching the Brisbane leg of the nationwide 2011 Russian Resurrection Film Festival, much to the delight of the packed cinema theatre.

Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film, and winner of a Nika Award and Golden Eagle Award for Best Film, its reputation preceded it.

Set after WWII in the desolate, freezing landscape of the Siberian Taiga, Ignat, a damaged war hero with a bad attitude (Vladimir Mashkov) is sent to work as a mechanic in a prison camp. But Ignat soon challenges the unlikely harmony in the settlement by shacking up with Sofia (Yulia Peresild) and her small child. The plot thickens when he sets off to an island to retrieve an abandoned Soviet train from the wilderness, only to find an escaped German prisoner, Elsa (Anjorka Strechel) living within it. Enemies by nationality and unable to speak one another’s language, they reluctantly work together to restore the train. Upon returning to the camp however, the presence of a German girl is not welcomed, especially by Sofia. But the hostility against Ignat and his friendship with Sofia only brings them closer together.

The train at times becomes Ignat’s Moby Dick. He is obsessed. It is his everything – his motivation, inspiration, invigoration – he sources it all from his love of trains. But this love also threatens to be his downfall, as he pushes the limits of the rudimentary locomotives.

The film’s sound engineers and music department should be applauded for their efforts. Their work compliments the film brilliantly, giving the train life. A chunk of steel suddenly becomes so much more; a living, breathing, almost mystical force, with the visceral rumbling on the tracks and grunt of the engine, able to transcend the big screen.

Though the film’s plot is unbelievable, the story is no less dramatic. To my surprise, a story of love, loss, war and a man’s obsession, centred around a train (of all things) is very watchable; enjoyable even. I found myself on the edge of my seat in parts, swept away in the ho-hum bravado of Ignat in his train.

But don’t think it’s all heavy and edgy and no fun. There’s a good dose of frank Russian humour in this film to keep it honest, and the breath-taking scenery in the final part of the film is well worth sticking around for.

Put on your best bearskin, find yourself a comrade and I’ll meet you with some “home-brew” at The Edge. Na zdorovje!

4/5

In its biggest year since its birth in 2004, the 2011 Resurrection Russian Film Festival continues in Brisbane until August 31 at Palace Centro and Palace Barracks. Featuring films young and old, from a variety of genres direct from Russia, the festival is well worth checking out for foreign film appreciators.

For more information or to book visit www.russianresurrection.com.au