The Russian film
Ice City narrates the journey of Matvey, a young man who makes his living as a delivery driver at a local bakery. Raised in a humble family, his most valuable possession is the silver skates he inherited from his late father, a simple lamplighter. However, his life takes a dramatic turn when he is unfairly fired from his job.
Disillusioned and seeking a new opportunity, Matvey ends up getting involved with a gang of pickpockets, plunging into a world of crime and violence. Meanwhile, Alice, daughter of an influential high-ranking official, feels trapped in her mansion. She dreams of studying science, an ambition that goes against her father's conservative views on women's role in society.
In a chance encounter, the paths of Matvey and Alice cross, beginning a journey full of discoveries and challenges. As the two characters grow closer, they face personal dilemmas and confront the limitations imposed by social conventions and the circumstances surrounding them.
Ice City is an engaging story that explores themes such as ambition, freedom, and the struggle against adversity. Through the protagonists, we are led to reflect on the obstacles that arise in their lives and how they seek to overcome them amid a complex and challenging social context. It is a captivating narrative that highlights the strength and resilience of the characters in the face of the adverse circumstances they face, bringing to light universal questions about the pursuit of personal fulfillment and the breaking of barriers imposed by society.
The Russian production became one of the most popular romance films on
Netflix, reaching the Top 10 of the
streaming service at its launch. Considered a classic romance, the film promises plenty of fun for fans of the genre with its surprising plot full of passion.
Is Ice City film inspired by real events?
Although the plot of
Ice City is set in a real historical period of the Russian Empire, it is important to note that the film is not based on true events. However, it incorporates elements from other works of fiction to create its unique and engaging story.
One notable influence is William Shakespeare's classic play Romeo and Juliet, one of the greatest classics of the genre. Like in the well-known tragedy, Ice City presents an unlikely encounter between two characters from different social classes: Matvey, the humble young man, and Alisa, the aristocrat. Their paths intertwine amid a context of challenges and social prohibitions, reflecting the theme of impossible love present in Shakespeare's work.
Additionally, the film also draws inspiration from the book "Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates," written by Mary Mapes Dodge and published in 1865. This work tells the story of a young man who becomes an ice skating champion during the Dutch winter. The magical and enchanting atmosphere of silver skates and winter activities present in this narrative influences the setting and theme of Ice City.
The film takes place in
Saint Petersburg, capital of the Russian Empire, in the winter of 1899, one of the most well-known periods in the country's history. The city comes alive with its frozen rivers that transform into natural pathways, where Russians glide on skates and sleds, and celebrate winter festivals. This stunning setting offers a unique and picturesque backdrop for the story to unfold.
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Who is in the cast of Ice City?
Ice City features a talented cast as a highlight, bringing big names from Russian TV and
cinema in an incredible love story. Among the highlights of the Netflix film are Fedor Fedotov, Sonya Priss, Yury Borisov, Kirill Zaitsev, Aleksey Guskov, Severija Janusauskaite, and Cathy Belton.
Watch the trailer for Ice City, surprising romance film from Netflix
https://youtu.be/dV5Sm342g7I