This film is set during the Second Russo Chechen War and deals, essentially, with one families fate. The film opens with Russian soldiers filming the aftermath of an 'anti-terrorist operation' – which is essentially destroying a Chechen village and executing civilians. One of the families's affected have two boys and Hadji escapes with his baby brother. After an arduous journey his path crosses that of Carole (Berenice Bejo) who works for an NGO.
Her initial reticence is soon replaced by affection as she tries to care for the young boy who has been so traumatised that he has stopped speaking. We also get the story of the common Russian soldier as shown through the experiences of Kolia (Maksim Emelyanov) and the dehumanising way they are made to conform.
What follows is a tragic, moving and plaintive anti-war film. The futility and pointlessness of conflict is shown in such a naked way as to be almost surreal. The film goes almost black and white in places as if war drains the colour from life – which for many it must surely do. The performances are amazing and I have to admit I was moved to tears on more than one occasion. Written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius who also directed 'The Artist' – he has managed to capture the feeling of fear, desperation and hope all at the same time and make a two hour film that seems to slip past in mere minutes. One of the more praiseworthy films I have seen for a while and indeed worthy of all the plaudits and more.
Her initial reticence is soon replaced by affection as she tries to care for the young boy who has been so traumatised that he has stopped speaking. We also get the story of the common Russian soldier as shown through the experiences of Kolia (Maksim Emelyanov) and the dehumanising way they are made to conform.
What follows is a tragic, moving and plaintive anti-war film. The futility and pointlessness of conflict is shown in such a naked way as to be almost surreal. The film goes almost black and white in places as if war drains the colour from life – which for many it must surely do. The performances are amazing and I have to admit I was moved to tears on more than one occasion. Written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius who also directed 'The Artist' – he has managed to capture the feeling of fear, desperation and hope all at the same time and make a two hour film that seems to slip past in mere minutes. One of the more praiseworthy films I have seen for a while and indeed worthy of all the plaudits and more.