MovieChat Forums > Elena (2011) Discussion > Symbolism of a white dead horse? - spoil...

Symbolism of a white dead horse? - spoilers below!!!

posted 9 years ago by CuriousGrl
5 replies | jump to latest

Ok So my partner and I had a debate over the White Horse that died.

He basically saw it as nothing...to him the dead horse was there because it slowed down the train causing Elena's anxiety carrying a wad of cash in public to a seedy neighborhood.

To Me however it represented so many things. On one hand...I see horses as very graceful, honorable creatures...so by Elena committing essentially murder she herself has lost that grace within her. Also possibly the white horse can represent Russia itself? At one point it was such a strong empire, and now where is it going?

Thoughts? Loved the film still thinking about it

Also money or no money Elena's dead beat family is going to stay as it was, money will not solve anything (only probably will make matters worse)

And the baby at the end is it the only hope for Russia or is he destined to fall in the same footsteps as Sasha and the family

[–] bojan-ns-89 9 years ago

I totally agree with you that this is an important part of the movie and that it shows the decadence of Russian culture and Russian people. I also had an idea that this might be connected with Tarkovsky in some way (him being a great role model for Zvyagintsev), because white horse is a frequent motif used in Tarkovskys movies, and I think Zvyagintsev is basicaly saying this is not the same Russia anymore.

[–] dragmio 9 years ago

Ok So my partner and I had a debate over the White Horse that died.

He basically saw it as nothing...to him the dead horse was there because it slowed down the train causing Elena's anxiety carrying a wad of cash in public to a seedy neighborhood.

LOL. Does your partner admit to being able to distinguish between the taste of sugar and the taste of salt or he's afraid that would endanger his "masculinity" too?

[–] CuriousGrl 9 years ago

LOL - he was just stating that I was looking into "Symbols" of the film too much...but I was sure the horse represented Mother Russia!

[–] dragmio 9 years ago

Just make him watch Rob Zombie's Halloween 2. There is not only a white horse there, but an actual quote from a dictionary (or something) about what a white horse usually symbolizes in movies. It's hilarious. But when your partner sees that even the uber macho Rob Zombie admits it, maybe he will too.
It's a no brainer, really. Maybe a cigar is sometimes just a cigar, but a white horse is NEVER just a white horse.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]