Cô Gái Cao Lớn - Beanpole (2019)

Kantemir Balagov's 'Beanpole' solidifies his reputation as a vital voice in contemporary cinema. Far from a conventional war narrative, this is an unflinching, visceral exploration of post-WWII psychological trauma, set against the desolate backdrop of Leningrad in 1945.

Balagov's cinematic artistry is breathtaking: he employs a hauntingly vibrant color palette of dominant greens and ochres, creating a stark, almost grotesque contrast with the ruined landscape and the characters' internal decay. Persistent close-ups and a deliberate, suffocating pace force viewers into intimate confrontation with the anguish and complex inner struggles of Iya (Viktoria Miroshnichenko) and Masha (Vasilisa Perelygina). The performances from both lead actresses are the film's emotional bedrock, with Miroshnichenko delivering an extraordinary portrayal of dissociative trauma and physical haunting. Balagov elevates the post-war psychological drama genre, offering a profoundly moving and brutally honest meditation on human nature and endurance amidst a tragic historical canvas.