www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall OCTPOB - Movie

I borrowed a film from my Parish priest called OCTROB or Ostrov (The Island). I watched it yesterday and it was amazing. Has anyone else watched this film? I highly recommend my fellow Eastern Christian brethren, and those interested in Eastern asceticism to view this film. I took away many valuable lessons on prayer, penance, and detachment.

From Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ostrov-Island...&s=dvd&qid=1228522930&sr=8-3

Product Description
ENGLISH subtitled DVD !!! Import, NTSC (USA & Canada), ALL region, Anamorphic Widescreen. AUDIO OPTIONS: DD 2.0 Stereo, DD 5.1 & DTS RUSSIAN. Original Russian artwork.............................................................. SYNOPSIS: Winner of 5 Nika Awards (Russian Oscars) including Best Film. Somewhere in Northern Russia in a small Russian Orthodox monastery lives a very unusual man. His fellow-monks are confused by his bizarre conduct. Those who visit the island believe that the man has the power to heal, exorcise demons and foretell the future. However, he considers himself unworthy because of a sin he committed in his youth. The film is a parable, combining the realities of Russian everyday life with monastic ritual and routine.

Mike L.

I ordered this film about a year ago and added it to my collection.

Good film. Some of the translation for the subtitles, I'm told, is not exactly literal from Russian to English - since I don't pa ruski, I have no idea if it's a good translation or not.

With that being said, I really enjoyed it. It can be a bit "dry" for some - so it's not a film I'd show to my high school sunday schoolers. ( I really loved "Into Great Silence" also - but I wouldn't show that one to them either - it'll bore them to death.

But... again, good movie.

It's a good movie. Yes, the subtitles don't capture everything being said in the movie. But a good movie nonetheless.