Zeus

Writers:

Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, Mariya Smirnova

Stars:

David Abraham, Iya Arepina, Vitali Belyakov 

 

English subtitles

 

This patriotic Russian historical epic recounts the life and times of 15th-century explorer Pardesi (Oleg Streeshenov). The hero is shown going to India at great personal risk, in hopes of establishing a trade agreement between the Indians and his own people. Most of the film is a travelogue, with the actors playing second fiddle to the Indian landscape. For all its pomp and splendor, Pardesi emerges more as a kiddie-matinee entertainment than a film for grown-ups. On this level, however, it succeeds, despite its attenuated 116-minute running time.