-Written by Kyle Bain.
During Stalin’s Soviet Union, those that opposed him, even thought differently than him, ran the risk of being executed. In 1952, a Soviet scientist was arrested for having a difference of opinion in regard to genetics. He was set to be punished, along with his family–but a signed confession saved his family. He, however, would suffer a terrible fate. Years later his daughter tells this story in The Seed of Truth.
Based on a true story, The Seed of Truth is a short film that explores the horrific times of Stalin’s Soviet Russia. With that, I want the film to be historically accurate–but there are some hiccups here in that regard.
There is far too much variation with the accents, creating a fracture in the narrative to a degree. Some have Russian accents, some American, but the fact of the matter is that the flashbacks take place in Russia, meaning that everyone should have a similar accent. Maybe this is a small detail, maybe this is something that shouldn’t affect the entirety of The Seed of Truth–but it makes it challenging to suspend disbelief from time to time, and it certainly does affect the film as a whole. Beyond that, the accents are distracting, and that’s never a good thing when something ultimately trivial like accents can cause a disturbance in an otherwise entertaining film.
The Seed of Truth, again, tells a true story. This isn’t a story that I was aware of, but one that I believe needed telling. The fact that the film is only about sixteen minutes long allows the story to be told in a succinct and successful manner. It’s quick and to the point, not harping on unnecessary information, but rather moving along at an effective pace, hitting the right notes and covering just the right topics along the way.
In terms of tone, Writer-Director W.Y. Geng does a splendid job of ensuring that her film remains somber and somewhat depressing throughout (that is until a touching moment at the film’s conclusion). I feel that this topic is one that might warrant some work in order to get viewers on board, in order to inspire an emotional response–but those heavy tones coming in the form of dull colors, low musical notes, and dramatic dialogue work to help the film remain heartfelt and genuine. The authenticity of The Seed of Truth (other than those aforementioned accents) allows us to feel like we are there, a part of the harrowing story. I felt very present in this film–and that works wonders for my overall takeaway.
At the end of the film things get a bit choppy. Text appears on screen equating the punishment of scientists in Soviet Russia to something that is going on in the modern day. What that specific thing is, however, isn’t revealed. The film came dangerously close to ostracizing some viewers in the closing seconds with that remark. I’m not entirely sure what that text is meant to convey, but The Seed of Truth seems to be on thin ice as it comes to a close.
There are aspects of The Seed of Truth that require the film to swim against a powerful tide, nearly drowning it. There are issues with the accents, causing the film to lose a bit of credibility, and then there is the issue at the end of the film regarding the on-screen text. Again, I’m not entirely sure what Geng and her team were attempting to accomplish (or say) with that text–so I have to let that slide. The Seed of Truth remains somber and heartbreaking throughout, and that’s what allows the film to thrive. It’s a touching film that hits most of the right notes throughout, and I enjoyed learning of a story that I had not yet heard before.
Written & Directed by W.Y. Geng.
Starring Virginia Shannon, Charlotte Raith, Dove Meir, Jordan Liebowitz, Jenna Reilly, etc.
7/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE
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