Bells from the Deep (1993)

This has to be one of the most interesting documentaries I've seen in recent years. Very slow paced though. If you can handle long takes of people singing and bashing on bells, this is the movie for you. If you take interest in Russian culture, this is the movie for you. And of course if you are religious (specifically Christian) this is the movie for you. I'd say this is one of Werner Herzog underrated and overlooked works. Definitely check this one out.

"Bells from the Deep" is a one-hour movie by famous German director Werner Herzog and it's really difficult for me to put this experience of a film into cold dead words. You just have to watch it. It is as spiritual as a movie could be and I totally enjoyed the watch. Occasionally, it reminded me of "Fata Morgana", another Herzog film I truly love. And even if this one here has no Leonard Cohen music, is set in an entirely different corner of the world and was made by an older Herzog (around 50), it is just as magical. There are probably not many filmmakers who can turn a bunch of people creeping on the ground into a beautiful piece of art. But the background stories, the music and just the whole atmosphere were something truly special in here. As I wrote earlier, you have to watch it yourself. If you have seen some other works of the director (admittedly this one here is not among his most famous) and have gotten to like his style, I am positive that you will enjoy this one here as much as I did. My favorite part was maybe when the old woman tells the story about her pig. It was somewhat tragic, but equally funny and just something truly special. As is this entire film. Very much recommended and Herzog's beautiful voice is a joy to listen to as always.

Portrait of superstition and faith in Russia. Completely neutral Werner Herzog film simply shows the people as they are and lets them speak for themselves. One is a "reincarnation" of Christ speaking of love and brotherly love. Another is a man who plays the bells at a church. We see a faith healer and mystic blessing a couple. We also spend time at a village near a Russian lake. Here is its said that God saved a village from the Mongol Hordes by placing it at the bottom of a lake, where if the conditions are right you can see it through the ice when the lake freezes in the winter. Nonjudgmental to the point that anything approaching a voice over is simply the translation of the words of those we see on screen. Even the "silliness" of the people who live near the lake with their crawling around it from holy site to holy site ceases to be funny when you realize that these people actually believe in what they are telling you. It's a haunting film that makes you wonder about how and what some people believe. Highly recommended.

Bells From The Deep is a fabulous look at the faith and superstitions of human beings living in Russia and Siberia. Herzog quietly observes his subjects and never appears obtrusive. The camera of Jorg Schmit-Reitwen (Heart of Glass, Kaspur Hauser) captures many incredible moments as Herzog and crew move from one subject to another with grace and wonder. Herzog never questions or dissects his subjects rituals or beliefs, rather observes and embraces them for all they are. As with all of his documentaries and features, Herzog peers into the soul of the most complex and simplistic elements of the human condition to discover an often surreal and beautiful inner dynamic. Elements of this film recall themes within Heart of Glass and many of his other works. Once again, the great Werner Herzog introduces us to a world unseen. A world of warm, unique, and strangely beautiful individuals and gives them a medium in which to share their personal existences, experiences, and dreams to the world.