Dersu Uzala Reviews

Dersu Uzala is a simple celebration of male bonding that transcends national differences. Taking place in the Russian Far East and highlighting one Nanai character, called Goldi by the Russians, the film is a page of history from the Russian exploration of the land to harvest the hardwood trees indigenous to the area. The film's theme that men can have affection that crosses national boundaries is reflected in the Russian and Chinese lead characters. Maxim Munzuk as Dersu Uzala and Yuri Solomin as Capt. Vladimir Arseniev are drawn together due to the need for the Russian Commander to have a native scout for his group of soldiers, but the natural elements drive the characters together to show that to survive the harsher elements of national differences men must work together to stay alive.