Well, the movie is basically about the last days of a specific Russian regiment stationed in Afghansitan, before the main troop withdrawal in 1985. The movie accurately portrays the grim realities of Russian army that have made it infamous: "dedovshina" (officers and NCOs physically harassing, beating and humiliating younger recruits), mixed character of war (you can trade with your enemy one day and kill him the next), life of women at the front lines, documentary footages of helicopter assaults, and coffins being soldered and sent home in heave C-130 Hercules class Russian cargo planes with tracer to jam Stinger missiles, fatigue, boredom, anti-war sentiment, emotional side simply put. The there's some action scenes, but they are poorly done, and often are illogical, like Major Bandura's suicidal walk and turning of his back to 10-year-old kid armed with AK-47 who's father he just killed. Also the fact that in the middle of firefight in the mountains heavy grenade launcher pops out of nowhere (and any half-bright person knows that it's virtually impossible to hump 40-50 lns launcher on the march anyone). But at the same time films shows that war is a dirty affair, where murder is sometimes condoned, wanton destruction of whole villages for little or no reason is normal, indiscriminate killing of civilians is overlooked as collateral damage inevitable during war... Some food for thought as to why Afghan war as lost.. Not the best war movie made, but profound and intelligent enough to be worth watching.
Reviews
3 Reviews
Musulmanin
(1995)
About the life in the small Russian village and uneasy adaptation of the Russian soldier who has been an Afghan POW away from home for 7 years...
14 April 2005
The film "Musul'manin" (or "Muslim") is about the return of the former Russian soldier who has been taken prisoner by Afghan warlords during Russia's long Afghan War (1975-85). Basically the theme of the movie is the moral breakdown and low-cultured existence of Russia's villages (and as far as this goes, 60% of Russian population lives in villages like the one shown) in the early-to-mid 90's (transitional years from Soviet Union to new Russia of today). The movie shows exceedingly well the main woes of Russia's society: ubiquitous alcoholism (and my fellow Russians, will have to agree that it's hardly exaggerated in the movie), larceny from the state by its citizens and from the citizens by the state, materialistic and opportunism-at-its-worst kind of mentality, boredom, lack of any entertainment, education or other facilities for youth, lack of basic necessities (like plumbing, sewing machines, roads, etc.), as well as unemployment (whether forced or voluntary). Add to that the "return of the soldier" plot with this soldier now being devout Muslim and being VERY pious, reverent and morally-righteous, unlike the rest of his home village This combination creates a lot of tension in the village, esp. between him and his alcoholic, out-of-control, ill-tempered and violent older brother, as well as between him and his new girl friend, mother and others. Film is got a little bit mystical side too, and a bit of thriller, but I don't want to give the surprise away, better watch it, :). So if you're interested in learning more about Russian culture, studying Russian language or just foreign movie enthusiasts, it's a good one to watch. One of the few best Afghan-related war movies as well.
Kin-dza-dza!
(1986)
Smart, minimalistic, thought-provoking, original sci-fi tragicomedy
1 February 2005
"Kin-dza-dza" is a very dried-down and bare-bones when it comes to special effects and Hollywood-style gun battles with horned aliens a la 5th element or multi-million dollar hi-tech spectacles akin to AI, Minority Report. Yet it's got some very interesting plot, deep and very relevant ideas. I watched film in Russian, but I would imagine most non-Russian speakers would understand most of the movie, although they would miss out on some of the humor. Although very simply done, the movie's main strength, IMHO, is in its sublime parody of our own society's customs, values and ethics. That's why the film shot in 1986 is still as pleasant too watch in 2005 for a Russian kid who grew up in 90s and knows little about Soviet culture (unlike my parents, who are more intimate with it). Plot: too much's been said about it anyhow, so just watch it. IFF you think that you're into "smart" movies. But be warned, if you more accustomed to crazy gunfights and space-chases along the typical Hollywood save-the-universe plot with a bad-ass super-whooper hero knocking down hordes of dumb aliens_ this movie is not for you. But for someone interested in Russian culture, this flick is one of the jewels of Russian cinematography, along with "Brat", "Brat 2", "Osobennosti natsionalhoy ..." quadrilogy, and some of the "oldies" (classics).
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