Weekend films

'Limonov', Ben Whishaw's great performance as the controversial Russian writer

In cinemas, the film based on the novel by Emmanuel Carrère and presented in competition at Cannes. Behind the camera director Kirill Serebrennikov

6 September 2024

3' min read

One of the most eagerly awaited adaptations of the year is among the weekend's theatrical highlights: 'Limonov', a film based on the wonderful book of the same name by Emmanuel Carrère, arrives in Italian cinemas after its presentation at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Directing is Kirill Serebrennikov, a Russian author who has always been a strong opponent of Putin and who has signed other interesting films in the past, such as 'Word of God', 'Summer' and 'Tchaikovsky's Wife'.

As in the latter case, Serebrennikov makes an unconventional biopic, following the line drawn by Carrère (who also appears on stage in a sequence of the film) with his fictional biography, published in 2011: at the centre are the many lives of Ėduard Limonov, a Russian writer and politician born in 1943 and who died in 2020, a revolutionary militant, underground writer and refined poet, waiter and literary celebrity.

The story of Limonov - the pseudonym of Ėduard Veniaminovič Savenko - is nevertheless told in a highly personal manner by the Russian director: it only takes a few minutes to be confronted with a product with an overflowing and eccentric style, typical of the author who signed it and in any case coherent with the character it deals with, despite the fact that some passages are so excessive that they risk irritating.

'Limonov' is in fact a film that is incapable of leaving one indifferent, a film that - again like the man who narrates - thrives on strong emotions, for better and for worse, alternating excellent visual gimmicks with extremely self-congratulatory and avoidable passages.

Stunning soundtrack

If the narrative sometimes runs into some overly cumbersome moments, the editing nevertheless gives good rhythm to the entire film, thanks also to a splendid soundtrack that confirms Serebrennikov's great attention to music.

However, this controversial feature film is not only a portrait of Limonov, but also an overview of the second half of the 20th century, from Russia to the United States, following the journey made by the protagonist.

A special mention goes to Ben Whishaw's extraordinary performance in one of the most difficult and significant roles of his career: his intense performance is the added value of the entire production.

Linda and the chicken

After 'Invelle', which came out last week, this weekend there is also room for a fine animated film: 'Linda and the Chicken', a co-production between France and Italy, directed by Chiara Malta and Sébastien Laudenbach.

At the centre of the narrative is the relationship between a mother, Paulette, and her daughter, Linda. After a bad fight and an unfair punishment, Paulette feels deeply guilty and will do anything to make it up to her daughter. Linda lost her father seven years ago and among the few childhood memories she has of him is the pepper chicken he used to cook for her. Paulette decides to prepare this dish for her even though she cannot cook and has no idea how to prepare it.

A surprising, thought-provoking feature film, 'Linda and the Chicken' is a work capable of touching very deep chords, without using rhetorical frills but relying on a simplicity that can be sincere and spontaneous.

There is also room for very funny passages in this tender and delicate film, which is effective in dealing with complex issues with courage and remarkable sensitivity.