MovieChat Forums > Everything Is Illuminated (2005) Discussion > Should there have been subtitles during ...

Should there have been subtitles during the russian parts?


I saw this movie and when they were speaking foreign languages I wasn't sure if there should have been subtitles for me to understand what they were saying or if it was a choice by the director for the viewer not to directly understand the speech...

So, was I meant to see the movie with subtitles on.

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The parts in Russian actually were pretty important; that there were not subs is strange, as the DVD I watched it from had them included.

Well, the beginning with his family was more banter and set-up, but the part towards the end with the old woman was more in-depth that what he translated to Jonathan.

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It's funnt that you ask this. I only realised that I had the option of subtitles about an hour into the film!!

So I went back to the russian bits that I didnt understand to watch them with translations. I was happy to see that what I imagined the characters to be saying was pretty accurate. So I would say that if you felt you followed the story you probably didnt need subs.

All the best,
Ade


Be Nice

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An emphatic yes from me!! I watch subtitles, even when it is English, because you get it all. So even the "irrelevant" parts, I want to know!! When people speak in a language you don't understand, you ALWAYS feel like you missed out!

I am the Queen of Your World

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I got really lucky last night because I watched this with my boyfriend who speaks Russian. He translated it for me as we watched... I feel like I would've been screwed without him, lol.

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Wait, the Russian parts weren't subtitled? I thought that was just my copy, didn't need to find another, because I understand Russian, but for those who don't, it's like half of the story told...

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If we are assumed to be seeing this world through Jonfen's eyes it doesn't make sense to have the Russian translated; he doesn't understand it either.

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Yeah I'm confused too cause I'm watching it now on Tubi and The Roku Channel and both versions for some reason don't show subtitles for the Russian parts. I don't get it.

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