Burnt by the Sun (1994)

Winner of the Oscar for Best Foreign Language film of 1994, this film deals with a Soviet Colonel who is living with his young wife and children in the countryside enjoying life when Dmitri the young once-lover of his wife arrives with news from Moscow.  There's a lot of psychological games and betrayal seeded from past crimes and yet this isn't a film about revenge but more about the short-sightedness and paranoia of the Soviet Union.  There's also a weird magical realism moment with a glowing orb that seems lifted from a different movie.  Its symbolism doesn't ruin the narrative but feels out of place.  The performances are all worthy of attention and the tension between the Colonel and Dmitri is excellent, all of it hidden under smiles and good wishes.  I think Eat Drink Man Woman was more deserving of the Oscar that year but this Russian film's victory isn't an embarrassment.  Grade: B+.