Eastern Boys (2013)

A businessman makes a regular arrangement with a Ukrainian prostitute, despite the youngster's involvement in a controlling street gang.

Director:

Robin Campillo

Writers:

Robin Campillo, Gilles Marchand (scenario consultant)

Stars:

Olivier Rabourdin, Kirill Emelyanov, Daniil Vorobyov

3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Olivier Rabourdin	...	Daniel
Kirill Emelyanov	...	Marek / Rouslan
Daniil Vorobyov	...	Boss (as Daniil Vorobyev)
Edéa Darcque	...	Chelsea
Bislan Yakhiaev	...	Bislan
Mohamed Doukouzov	...	Mohamed
Camila Chakirova	...	Camila
Aitor Bourgade	...	Guillaume
Beka Markozashvili	...	Petit Marek
Rassambek Kourmanov	...	Membre de la bande
Alexander Galkin	...	Membre de la bande
Ousmane Artchakov	...	Membre de la bande
Ali Moussaev	...	Membre de la bande
Zelimkhan Nassourov	...	Membre de la bande
Roustam Aliyev	...	Membre de la bande

Storyline

They come from all over Eastern Europe: Russia, Romania, Ukraine. They are Eastern boys. The oldest appear no more than 25; as for the youngest, there is no way of telling their age. They hang around the Gare du Nord train station in Paris. They might be prostitutes, but there is no way of knowing for certain. Daniel, a discreet man in his late fifties has his eye on one of them - Marek. One afternoon, Daniel gathers his courage and speaks to him. The young man agrees to come visit Daniel the following day, at his place. However the next day, when the doorbell rings, Daniel doesn't have the faintest idea that he has fallen into a trap.

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Plot Keywords:

ukrainian | police raid | fear | nightmare | war trauma | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French Russian English

Release Date:

2 April 2014 (France)

Also Known As:

Agoria ap' ta anatolika

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Box Office

Budget:

€2,300,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,726, 1 March 2015, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$16,173, 3 May 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films de Pierre, Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC), Canal+

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Robin Campillo's first film in 9 years. In the interim years, he worked mainly as a writer and editor, often for director Laurent Cantet.

User Reviews

Painfully slow and shallow

This movie lingers so much that it's running time is filled with nothing substantial, which is a great shame as the premise feels like it could have grown to more had the pace been quickened to include more meaningful interaction. Instead we're given a bare bones story, where characters are underdeveloped and there doesn't seem to be any real connection between the two main characters. Other than simple pity I see no reason for the older characters actions. There is no personal drivers to keep the characters interacting.

A bit of depth is given during a scene with fireworks, but it's the one time we're given insight into a character's inner mind and emotions. I stuck with the whole movie as reviewers said I'd gain something from the ending, however the journey felt paper thin and there was nothing to be learnt from the movie.

I've given it a four as the movie has some moments of promise and it's cinematography is visually nice.