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Brat (1997)
Personal and cultural connections in "Brat"--- Note: this contains possible spoilers!
In the film "Brat", themes surrounding relationships and family take on broader meanings in Russian culture. The main character, Danila, returns to visit his brother Viktor at his mother's insistence. The relationship between the brothers is unlike what one would expect; Viktor even betrays Danila at one point. Danila does not make a real connection with anyone; by the end he has severed ties with everyone he had met. Interestingly, his actions form a parallel to Russia's attempts to leave behind the past and hint at possible attitudes toward other cultures.
The title "Brother" itself indicates that the relationship between the brothers is the most important in the film. Viktor was much like a father to Danila in the past, indicating that their relationship, while always close, had changed over the years. Viktor's character represents the past: he is successful only because of his criminal dealings, as many were during the Soviet days. Danila is pulled into these dealings of the past because he has no other direction, just as the present Russia was still unsure of where it was going. The past is well known and understood, even if it is not the best course of action. Danila kills other gangsters, who are clearly part of this past world: he operates within the system in order to destroy it. In many instances he must kill these individuals out of defense, just as certain aspects of the old Soviet culture had to be destroyed or they would ruin the new way of life Even Sveta's situation represents the past. Danila tries to free her from her abusive relationship, yet she is disgusted with the way he tries to help her. Similarly, many people might not be willing to kill off or sever ties with the past; it is the only life they have known.
Other people who Danila meets are similarly different forces acting on the culture; some of them could stand for foreign influences in Russia. The girl Ket exemplifies Western culture, particularly America: she likes to party and eat McDonalds. Ket's obsession with money also depicts the stereotypical American perspective. Danila eventually breaks off connection with her, giving her some money before leaving her. This attitude illustrates the fact that while the new Russia is open to the far western influence of America, the people do not necessarily want to accept this culture, nor is it a good idea for them to do so if they wish to maintain their own identity. Danila's relation to the German represents the general Russian relation to this western European country. Russia's relations with Germany have occasionally been somewhat tense, and the character points out "what is good for the Russian is death for the German." The German refuses the money that Danila offers him in the end, perhaps a statement that Germany (or maybe Europe in general) has no tolerance for the morally corrupt way of the old Soviet Union. Indeed, Danila brings the bodies to the graveyard where the German and others stay, urging him to give them a decent burial. It seems that the new Russia wants other Europeans to figuratively bury the past, and can not necessarily accomplish this task alone. However, the fact that Danila breaks off ties with the German shows a desire for Russia to deal with the past in its own way. Whether or not this will lead to trouble in the future is uncertain. Yet it seems that Danila is entirely capable of dealing with these problems on his own, even though the means by which he does so is not ideal in most eyes.
Kavkazskiy plennik (1996)
An important anti-war message---Note: contains possible spoilers!
The characterization in Prisoner of the Mountains conveys an overall message against war. While the characters represent distinct attitudes that form this anti-war message, they are more than simple vehicles; they stand out as realistic human beings as well, which makes the message extremely powerful.
First, there are characters who are used to war, and perpetuate its continuation. Sasha and Abdul-Murat represent similar somewhat values yet they are on opposing sides. This shows that there must be at least two sides to fight and continue a war; these two sides are often similar, however. Both characters are experienced on the battlefield, and seem initially content with the continuation of the war. Yet their motivations for fighting are very different. Sasha simply likes the guns and the fighting, while Abdul's struggle seems more political, and with his son's capture, it is certainly personal as well. These men are characterized as strong in the film, and unwilling to see the other's perspective. asThe reasons for fighting might be different, yet all of these men are stubborn and hardened in their opinions. Yet at times it seems that even these seasoned veterans are tired of the war. Sasha expresses this feeling occasionally throughout. Abdul similarly does so when he lets Vanya go at the end, as if he, too is growing tired of the conflict. This action could symbolize a hope for eventual peace.
Dina and Vanya, in contrast, are relatively innocent about warfare, and do not have as strongly formed opinions about the fighting. Dina is pleasant to the soldiers, bringing them food and water; she even forms a friendship with Vanya. She is not interested in furthering the war, yet she is not interested in stopping it either; her role is the traditional woman at home, as a provider who will soon marry. Dina's father is very domineering over her, therefore, she is beginning to form some of his opinions, as shown by the scene when she tells Vanya that he must be killed. Yet the fact that she frees Vanya shows some hope in her character, and hope for the future. She begins to see Vanya as another person rather than some Russian slave, and therefore feels obliged to help him, despite her father's ideology and the war.
Vanya is innocent because he lacks war experience. He never shoots anyone in battle, and the one time he obtains a gun he manages to misfire. He claims that he wants to be a good fighter, yet Sasha always mocks him when he does. Vanya does not seem truly satisfied with where he is, and his inexperience is especially evident in contrast to Sasha. By the end, Vanya has befriended the only hope for a new future, Dina. By granting his freedom, Dina provides Vanya with the hope of survival. Although enemies, they do not have to destroy one another. Indeed, Vanya and Sasha even make friends with Hasin. Vanya discovers that the "enemy" are only other people, who laugh and cry, who celebrate marriage and death just as his people do. Since he survived, Vanya now has the chance to bring his new understanding to others. Yet this understanding is still vague at best, since Vanya can not properly remember the faces of the people he met. The film therefore warns that this type of message can fade over time, and it is important that something is done about it before it is too late.