‘Zerograd’ (Slipcover Edition) Blu-Ray Review – A Surreal & Absurdly Funny Mystery

Part Kafka, part Agatha Christie and part Monty Python, director Karen Shakhnazarov’s surreal satire of Communism follows an Everyman engineer named Varakin (Leonid Filatov) who arrives in a remote city where nothing quite makes sense, but everyone acts as if it does. He’s quickly drawn into the investigation of the suicide (or possibly murder?) of a local restaurant chef, Nikolaev – who may (or may not) be Varakin’s missing father. The more complex and absurdist the mystery becomes, the more poignant and plaintive Varakin’s predicament – “I have to get back to Moscow,” he pleads to no avail. Along the way we’re treated to a bizarre and wonderful sideshow of non sequiturs out of a Wes Anderson film, including an underground museum filled with a thousand years of real and imagined Russian history (“Here’s the pistol with which Urusov shot the False Dimitry II.”) Frozen in time, frozen far beneath the surface, the waxwork figures are strangely beautiful and forlorn, like Shakhnazarov’s marvelous and enigmatic satire of Soviet bureaucracy. With music by the great Eduard Artemyev (SOLARIS, STALKER).

For thoughts on the new 2025 Issue Limited Slipcover release of Zerograd, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:

Video Quality

Zerograd debuted on Blu-Ray in 2022 in its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio with a 1080p master derived from a 2K restoration from the original 35mm elements by Mosfilm. Deaf Crocodile is one of our undisputed champions in the physical media space, and this presentation is a prime example of their excellence. The transfer reveals a fabulous amount of depth and enhanced detail within these unusual locales. The fetching photography reveals the unique environments with great care thanks to the natural grain that is faithfully resolved. Distinct elements of the costumes and fantastical production design look exquisite in their clarity. The colors are saturated consistently with some beautiful hues on display. Black levels are deep with no semblance of black crush or compression artifacts. Highlights likewise hold steady with no blooming at play. The restoration is free of print damage thanks to the team at Mosfilm. Deaf Crocodile has delivered an ideal presentation. 

Audio Quality

This Blu-Ray comes with a steady DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio stereo track in the original Russian (with optional English subtitles). Dialogue comes through clearly without the sound effects or the score overshadowing important information. There are some fun sound effects that are given the appropriate placement within the mix. The score comes through respectably in relation to the competing sounds. The film is filled with playful sonic characteristics that arouse the speakers. This track presents everything deliberately with first-rate fidelity and without damage or other unwanted issues. Deaf Crocodile has delivered on all fronts. 

Special Features

• Audio Commentary: Film journalist Samm Deighan (Diabolique magazine, Daughters of Darkness podcast) provides an engaging and informative commentary track in which she provide great context for Russian cinema of the time, the origins of this feature, the prominence of Mosfilm, the production of the film, the background of the performers, analysis of the themes, and much more.

• Interview with Director/Co-writer Karen Shakhnazarov: A 57-minute interview with the filmmaker conducted by Dennis Bartok of Deaf Crocodile Films in which he discusses his background, influences on his work, making films in the Soviet Union, the production of Zerograd, and more.  

• Booklet: A multi-page booklet is included in this release which features the essay “Zerograd; Zero Hour for Beauracricies & Imperfect Unions” by Chris D. which gives a great amount of context to the creation and themes of this film in a way that is quite illuminating. It also includes a helpful list of films that deal with similar themes, narratives, etc. 

Final Thoughts

Zerograd is another fun, surreal outing from the annals of Russian cinema history ripe for rediscovery. The film is whimsical and very funny while never losing sight of the larger societal context in which it emerges. The layered nature of the narrative makes it a fun one to watch more than once, but there is little doubt you will fall for it the first time out if you like your movies slightly off-kilter. Deaf Crocodile has released a Blu-Ray which sports a stunning A/V presentation and a top-tier assortment of special features. If you are eager to explore some more gems from Russian cinema, this should be high on your list. Recommended 

Zerograd is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a 2025 Issue Limited Slipcover exclusively through DiabolikDVD. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Deaf Crocodile has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.