"Critic’s Pick. Dazzling… a brilliantly told, deeply moving story about love... from the sensationally talented Russian director Kantemir Balagov."

“Ferocious and extraordinary. You often have to remind yourself to breathe.”

"Brilliant. Balagov is a fiercely individual and quite staggeringly accomplished talent."

“Bold and exacting. Feels damn-near radical.”

"Achingly beautiful. Extraordinary performances and Roma-level production design elevate a brutal yet tender story of two women in post-war Leningrad. Recalls Cristian Mungiu's 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days."

"One of the first essential cinematic works released in theaters this year... Beanpole [is] the astonishing sophomore feature effort of 28-year-old Russian director Kantemir Balagov, who utilizes color as artfully as any painter one can name."

“Incredibly strong and deeply felt.”

“Visually resplendent.”

“Extraordinary.”

“Superbly crafted and... alive with human spirit.”

"A devastating, brilliantly directed and acted drama."

“A powerful portrait of mutual need. Balagov's skill as a filmmaker… is beyond doubt.”

“With gorgeous photography and small moments of kindness and hope, Balagov... charts the range of human responses to trauma with great care.”

“Filmed with such raw hypnotic power and beauty that you will find yourself under Balagov’s chokehold. This is easily one of the best films of the year.”