Stop-Zemlia Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Stop-Zemlia Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 12, 2022

“Stop-Zemlia” is a 2021 Ukrainian production that explores the world of teenagers facing the end of their adolescent experience. They’re about to enter adulthood and all the confusion that inspires, still working out the finer points of communication and relationships as they endure days at school and nights of social gatherings. Writer/director Kateryna Gornostai departs from the usual routine of melodrama when it comes to the aching hearts of young people, arranging a docudrama feel to the endeavor, hoping to give it a more active sense of psychological inspection. Hallway aches and pains are present, but “Stop-Zemlia” offers different dramatic moves than most teen-centric offerings, setting a quieter mood of reflection and consideration as Gornostai hopes to make something human.

The story of “Stop-Zemlia” primarily follows Masha (Maria Fedorchenko), a young woman troubled by tumultuous feelings, trying to make sense of the world around her. She has friends and love interests, and the screenplay follows them as well, with Gornostai interested in what makes the kids tick, also making time to understand parental concern and exasperation. The usual topics concerning love, sex, and loneliness are presented, but the production strives to remain down-to-earth, treating the characters with respect as they make choices and observe the world around them. Visual support is provided by cinematographer Oleksandr Roshchyn, who gives the picture a gentle level of style and necessary sharpness.

Stop-Zemlia Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation preserves the feature's excellent cinematography, offering rich colors from light sources, including party hues and bedroom warmth. Greenery is exact, and primaries are bold on clothing choices and interior decoration. Skintones are natural. Detail is sharp, picking up on adolescent skin particulars. Outfits are fibrous, and school and exterior distances remain intact. Delineation is satisfactory.

Stop-Zemlia Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix secures crisp dialogue exchanges, with softer emotional moods, preserving hushed encounters. Music selections are engaging, offering a circular presence, and low-end emerges with electropop songs, giving the listening experience some deeper beats. School atmospherics are also present.

Stop-Zemlia Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Behind-the-Scenes Featurette (31:02, HD) blends interview footage with writer/director Kateryna Gornostai and BTS footage of the production in motion, working to execute shots for "Stop-Zemlia."

• Photo Gallery #1 (2:47) offers pictures from Kateryna Gornostai.

• Photo Gallery #2 (3:47) offers pictures from Nikon Romanchenko.

• And a U.S. Trailer (1:40, HD) is included.

Stop-Zemlia Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Stop-Zemlia" runs 122 minutes, which is an excessive amount of screen time, leading to some pacing issues in the second half, but all is not lost, especially when Gornostai returns to interview segments. It's here where the characters speak their minds, highlighting hopes and fears, marching toward a future that seems impossible to conquer when the teen years are already too challenging to bear at times.