True to the title, the film is about Leningrad during World War 2. Not so true, of the actors promoted, only Mira Sorvino has a significant role in the film which is dominated and carried by her and Olga Sutulova, who hopefully has earned herself more roles.
The film provides some much needed perspective on WW2. At least in America, and it seems the entire film world, Russia's struggles against Nazi Germany have been essentially ignored. There's very little perspective upon it, no doubt in part due to the extended Cold War.
In addition to historical perspective, it also provides modern war perspective. Leningrad can in many ways be seen as Iraq and Afghanistan, both of which the war on seem more to eliminate the people who live there and take over the region than to liberate it. Intended or not, that is the essence of the story of this film.
The film provides some much needed perspective on WW2. At least in America, and it seems the entire film world, Russia's struggles against Nazi Germany have been essentially ignored. There's very little perspective upon it, no doubt in part due to the extended Cold War.
In addition to historical perspective, it also provides modern war perspective. Leningrad can in many ways be seen as Iraq and Afghanistan, both of which the war on seem more to eliminate the people who live there and take over the region than to liberate it. Intended or not, that is the essence of the story of this film.