Film Review: Leviathan (15) (Russia 2014) (Director: Andrey Zvyagintsev) (Russian with English Subtitles), Filmhouse, Screen Two, Edinburgh, Sunday 09.11.2014, 14:15
This is a thoroughly absorbing drama about the insidious nature of corruption and power. It is set in contemporary northern Russia where a local man dares to stand-up to the local mayor. The film then goes on to show how vested interests collude to pull the man's family and life apart to the point where he has no home or liberty. The film is peppered with moments of pitch-black humour which help lift the mood slightly.
It has been commented upon that the film presents an environment that is unforgivingly harsh and desolate where the characters drink copious amounts of vodka throughout. The landscapes reminded me of where I come from, Caithness, which for those who don't know, is the very north of the mainland in Scotland (Thurso where I was born, is north of Moscow). This may add to why I see the landscapes presented as being both desolate and beautiful at the same time, as I have a familiarity with this kind of environment. The hard drinking and tough characters also ring true of this kind of environment. The film presents a trapped-helplessness of some people who cannot bring themselves to leave the unremittingly grim community that also rang-true.
I cannot fault the acting or any element of the film and found it compelling, though it is also very depressing. It is like the area I am from with added overt and accepted corruption. I would recommend the film, though not if you are looking for a jolly time and don't go if you are already feeling low.
The cracking addendum is that this is the film that Russia has chosen to put forward for contention in the 'Foreign Language Film' category at the Oscars. Nothing like showing yourselves in a good light.
Rating: 10/10.
It has been commented upon that the film presents an environment that is unforgivingly harsh and desolate where the characters drink copious amounts of vodka throughout. The landscapes reminded me of where I come from, Caithness, which for those who don't know, is the very north of the mainland in Scotland (Thurso where I was born, is north of Moscow). This may add to why I see the landscapes presented as being both desolate and beautiful at the same time, as I have a familiarity with this kind of environment. The hard drinking and tough characters also ring true of this kind of environment. The film presents a trapped-helplessness of some people who cannot bring themselves to leave the unremittingly grim community that also rang-true.
I cannot fault the acting or any element of the film and found it compelling, though it is also very depressing. It is like the area I am from with added overt and accepted corruption. I would recommend the film, though not if you are looking for a jolly time and don't go if you are already feeling low.
The cracking addendum is that this is the film that Russia has chosen to put forward for contention in the 'Foreign Language Film' category at the Oscars. Nothing like showing yourselves in a good light.
Rating: 10/10.
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