Bells from the Deep: Faith and Superstition in Russia

Herzog's attention to music is always a treat, here showcasing the Tuvan throat singers on the Siberian riverbank as much the Orthodox Choir of St. Petersburg. The Jesus cosplay guy was excellent, he was nailing all the poses from the paintings and everything.

Herzog does not try to make any grand claims about faith and superstition, but rather presents the religious life (in Siberia). One both envies and pities these believers. Jesus seems to actually appear on screen as the man in red robes blesses those in his presence and those watching this film. The Tuvan singing resonates like the long-gone bells of Kitezh.

Or how Herzog paid a bunch of drunks from the next town over to crawl around on a frozen lake.

A cross between a documentary and a meditative piece, similar to Wheel of Time. You get the feeling if you return to the same pastoral locations this documentary is set, not a lot would have changed in the interim. Highlight: Siberian Throat Singers. To note: The DA, Herzog's son, Rudolph.

Without a shred of narration, Herzog explores both commonplace belief and the more extreme side of religion. The ones on the fringes are naturally more interesting. Faith healers, exorcists, shamen, 2 fake Christs. As usual there are some glorious moments: the scenes featuring the Tuvan throat singers and the bell ringer are transcendent. Herzog's atypical lack of commentary is respectful, but it does prevent the film from being as informative as it could be. A little more context would be nice.

Another fascinating doc by Herzog that starts slow but gets more and more strange as it goes on. That Mongolian throat-singing stuff is wicked!

Wodaabe meets God's Angry Man meets Heart of Glass. An audio-visually gorgeous and very poetic documentary the kind only Herzog is capable of. Don't expect it to be very informative in the bookish sense, though: Herzog is interested in what he calls the "Ecstatic Truth" - not in dry facts. But believe me, ecstatic truth it is.

Strange, beautiful and fascinating. I most enjoy the bell ringer.

An amazing gaze into the workings of ideology and ritual, just wish there were more interviews

Herzog has created a sort of collage of religious practices, focusing only briefly on each subject. But despite its segmented nature, the film very much feels like a coherent whole. The thematic underpinnings and some beautiful choir music help make it all gel. I think what Herzog is trying to show us here is pretty straightforward: religion causes people to do some pretty bizarre stuff. And since bizarre and Herzog go together like peanut butter and jelly, it's a joy to watch.

In Herzog's world, the faithful include those who'd search for meaning in a barren, frozen lake, and those whose personal spiritual tales seem to involve mainly demons and discomfort (more signs of Herzog's belief that the world is governed by chaos not harmony). Like most of his films of this period, Herzog's personal commentary is absent, but his comforting Teutonic tones can still be heard as he takes it upon himself to do all the translating.

Imma pick up some of those church bells on ebay

Herzog studies Russia's superstitious and religious landscape, remaining abstinent from commentary, instead letting pure footage do the majority of the work. The footage and scenery is gorgeous and the subjects Herzog finds are, as always, illuminating. The documentary isn't so much a learning experience, however, but more of a visceral atmospheric sit-through.

No narration so not an informative documentary which could of been used with hearing these incredible sounds. You can understand why its not there as its still a great feat without, I just would of preferred it.

Some remarkable sounds and images that you will most likely never hear or see anywhere else.