Beanpole

2019 | Drama | 130 minutes | Russian with English subtitles

Info

Shortly after World War II, Lya, known as “Beanpole,” a hospital nurse in Leningrad, is caring for Pashka, her friend’s Masha’s six-year-old boy. Suffering from PTSD, Lya accidentally smothers and kills Pashka. When Masha returns to pick up Pashka, she learns of the tragedy. After the initial shock passes, Masha tells Lya that she would like another son but she can’t because she’s had a hysterectomy. Masha asks Lya to have the baby they can raise together. Lya is reluctant when Masha becomes involved with Sasha, a pickup she met at a dance. Masha meets Sasha’s wealthy parents but they look down on her. On the tram ride home, Masha is told the tram ran over and killed a tall blonde woman. Fearing it’s Lya, Masha rushes back to the apartment and is relieved to find Lya alive and well. They embrace and vow they will raise a child together and perhaps, through it all, they may get a shot at living a happy, normal life.

Cast

Viktoria Miroshnichenko (Lya) / Vasilisa Perelygina (Masha) / Igor Shirokov (Sasha)

Why Stream This Film?

One of the most heart-wrenching films out there, Beanpole does more than just unveil the perils of war on the human psyche. A true masterpiece, difficult to watch, it vividly illustrates that even the winners of a war can suffer acute psychological damage.

Rotten Tomatoes Score (Critics Consensus): 92%
Metacritic Score: 84

Accolades

Cannes Film Festival: Winner, Un Certain Regard (Kantemir Balagov); Best Director (Balagov)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: Winner, Best Foreign Film
Palm Springs International Film Festival: Winner, Best Foreign Language Film
Golden Eagle Awards, Russia: Best Actress (Viktoria Miroshnichenko)