Branded (2012)

Set in a dystopian future where corporate brands have created a disillusioned population, one man's effort to unlock the truth behind the conspiracy will lead to an epic battle with hidden forces that control the world.

Directors:

Jamie Bradshaw, Aleksandr Dulerayn

Writers:

Jamie Bradshaw, Aleksandr Dulerayn

Stars:

Ed Stoppard, Leelee Sobieski, Jeffrey Tambor

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ed Stoppard	...	Misha
Leelee Sobieski	...	Abby
Jeffrey Tambor	...	Bob
Max von Sydow	...	Marketing Guru
Mariya Ignatova	...	Master of Ceremony (as Maria Ignatova)
Roman Petrenko	...	Fast Food Executive #1
Anastasiya Nefedova	...	Fast Food Executive #2 (as Anastasia Nefedova)
Nick Harvey	...	Fast Food Executive #3
John Laskowski	...	Fast Food Executive #4
Douglas A. Reno	...	Fast Food Executive #5 (as Douglas Reno)
Gary Brierley	...	Fast Food Executive #6
Andrey Kaykov	...	Pavel (as Andrei Kaikov)
Viktoriya Popova	...	Screaming Woman (as Viktoria Popova)
Jamie Bradshaw	...	Mr. Johnson
Viktor Verzhbitskiy	...	Yuri Nikolaevich (scenes deleted) (as Viktor Verzhbitsky)

Storyline

Set in a dystopian future where corporate brands have created a disillusioned population, one man's effort to unlock the truth behind the conspiracy will lead to an epic battle with hidden forces that control the world.

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Plot Keywords:

umbrella | woman playing violin | couple having sex | fast food | chinese character | 

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Taglines:

Crack the code. Take back your mind.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA Russia

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

7 September 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Mad Cow

Filming Locations:

Russia

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$240,565 (USA) (7 September 2012)

Gross:

$353,468 (USA) (28 September 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mirumir, TNT

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In two shots we see the list of brands that Misha is crossing out, he crosses out "Burger" with two lines. Later, when he is crossing out other brands, "Burger" has only one line through it.

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Soundtracks

"Sex With My Ex"
Written by Sarah Jane Cunningham, Gabriel Rowland, Matt Cicero and Mark Pritchard
Performed by The Shetland Ponies

User Reviews

Jean-Paul Sartre, Beckett would be proud

Somewhere at the far edges of the absurd, the profound can be found. This movie can be enjoyed strictly as a comedy, it can be taken seriously by a few, but most should know this film reaches further than it could ever truly grasp. Branded is flawed, fun, and perhaps best enjoyed in an extremely tired, alternative state of mind.

A few reviews and reviewers note that this film does not live up to its own advertising. There is irony there, but what does live up to advertising? Advertising is amongst the biggest waist of resources in contemporary society. Not just in terms of illusory currency, but the waist of many of todays greatest artists, thinkers, and idea makers; professionals payed to spin lies and manipulate participants of mass media consumption.

Branded may only scratch the surface of many important current problems caused by modern media, but at least its creators and performers put themselves "out there" to ask some interesting questions. May more artists ask important questions, and help move us all to a better place.