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Review of the film "Red" (2017)

On August 24, the feature film "Red" was released. In the center of the plot is the UPA warrior Danilo Krasny, who led the uprising in the Stalinist concentration camp. The film is based on the historical novel of the same name by Andrei Kokotyukha "Red".

Filming took place in the spring and summer of 2016 in Krivoy Rog at one of the abandoned mines. The entire filming process took three months. The film, like the book, is based on real events. This is not a specific uprising, but a generalized image of mass riots that regularly took place in Soviet concentration camps in the late 40s of the twentieth century. The director was Zaza Buadze. The script was written by the author of "Red" - Andrey Kokotyukha, so there were no problems with the film adaptation. Therefore, fans of the novel can hide away T-shirts with a print "The book is better than the movie".

In those days, prisoners of any "zone" it could be conditionally divided into authorities and do-gooders. The third was by no means given. But already in 1947, when there were more and more riots in concentration camps, a separate caste - Ukrainians - stood out sharply. They did not want to "be friends" with prisoners in order to build "on the zone" and quietly serve his sentence. Their only signpost was freedom. And this aspiration is characteristic of freedom-loving fighters among the local rotten contingent. The conclusion is not a long-term sentence, but only a temporary obstacle on the way, which was destroyed by Ukrainian soldiers, gritting their teeth.

The leitmotif of the film was the confrontation of two ideologies: patriot Danil Krasny (Nikolai Birch) and Soviet pilot Viktor Gurov (Oleg Shulga). A conflict is emerging between them against the background of the national question:

"They have a different Ukraine. Not ours, not Soviet", - said Gurov to the head of the concentration camp.

However, later Krasny still convinces his countryman that they have only one Ukraine. Gurov's uncertainty may become a fatal mistake, because loners do not survive in the "zone". Moreover, Gurov can still become a "stranger among his own and his own among strangers." And only by uniting, the brothers will find the right way to freedom.

The parallel with the same numbering of Gurov in the Soviet and German concentration camps is definitely a powerful technique. And yet, as historians note, there was a definite difference between the labeling in both countries.

It is worth noting that the first act of the film, the necessary exposure, is quite weak at times. However, imperceptibly and smoothly flows into two final interrelated acts: the second act, in which the main plot events unfold, and the third - more dynamic.

Daniel the Red has an innate ability to convince people and persuade them to his side. A vivid example of this is his dialogue with Major Abramov that prisoners have the right to celebrate Easter. The latter still admits that the truth is on the side of the Ukrainian. However, an officer must obey the Soviet regime.

It is interesting to watch the "intelligent" dialogue between the Red and the authoritative convict of the taiga. Bandit twice, despite "concepts", offers "collaborations" to the Ukrainian. To which, in a single form, he receives a refusal.

Kolya-Taiga was played by Igor Koltovsky, successfully portrayed a caricature image of a "fair thief in law".

Among all the actors, it is worth noting the works of Nikolai Bereza and Alexander Mavrits (the head of the concentration camp, Major Abramov). Nikolai Bereza looks very charismatic and confident in the armor of the cornet of the UPA. And his image cannot be considered integral, because the viewer is already a seasoned fighter who will not be frightened by barbed wire and the insane screams of the guards. But we are not shown the formation of the character, his background. And this is a very important period in the life of the protagonist.

Information about the main character is filtered by the alcoholic head of the camp department No6, Major Abramov. Alexander Mavrits embodied a strict and reckless major of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who suffers from alcoholism and sudden outbursts of rage. He really inspires fear. Slowly, his hero levels himself, because the system inclines anyone: regardless of whether you are a prisoner or a leader. Therefore, the only antagonist of the entire history can be considered the brutal Soviet regime.

In general, only with the dossier the viewer learns about the past of Daniil Krasny, since the camp part is the final one in the novel of the same name by Andrei Kokotyukha. The director of the tape Zaza Buadze assured that the prequels to the film, which will reveal the events of the previous two parts, are already in development. Therefore, soon "Red" will appear before the audience in the form of a full-fledged trilogy. And then it may be adapted for a TV format in the form of a mini-series.

Before us is an independent film in the western genre. This was confirmed by Zaza Buadze at the preview. Therefore, it is worth discarding all conventions and plunge into the narrative literally from scratch.

It should be noted that Daniil Krasny is the prototype of thousands of Ukrainians who famously rebuffed the hostile regime. We know almost nothing about them either. Only that they fought for their right to freedom from all shackles and for a free Ukraine.

And yet, from time to time, through the submission of incomplete material, the protagonist's motivation seems too superficial. It is obvious that the thirst for freedom is mentally close to Ukrainians. However, in this scenario, the hero without at least a minimal background looks cardboard. In addition, nothing is known about Daniel's companions at all - they rather resemble extras around the hero.

And instead of strengthening security measures, the major takes up a glass more insistently every time, tries to incite a flock of stragglers into a cohesive barrack of like-minded people and makes mistakes more and more. In the end, the man who recently controlled all the prisoners and stragglers, now can't cope with one Ukrainian named "Ostap". That Captain Borodin, that the major himself and the rest of the guards are complete fools, under whose noses the prisoners embody a vendetta and plan to escape.

All the agents are the pilot Gurov, who throughout the film blearily stares at each character and suffers, he is not destined to be together with his beloved nurse-Abramov's roommate. Although his love line is a tragic element of the narrative, and it is extremely difficult to sympathize with both participants in this story. Again, their motives and aspirations are clear to everyone, but they do not go beyond the cliche conventions.

Every scene in the film, which takes your breath away and which invigorates the mind with an unquenchable spiritual or physical struggle, is worth its weight in gold. And thanks to the director, there are several such scenes. All of them are framed by a powerful soundtrack or clear and rough indents. Most of all, it is depicted in the memory of the Easter celebration, permeated with the undying song "Oh in the pocket of the red viburnum". It became the main composition of the film, which was performed by the group "Gaydamaki" together with Tonya Matvienko.

In addition, I was struck by a scene that can be dubbed a "sitting protest": prisoners demand a legal day off from the head of the "zone". The catalyst of discontent is none other than Daniel Krasny. He could have been idling like a convict, but he worked conscientiously. And finally, I defended my well-deserved rest. The 1xbet is the most sought-after sports betting platform worldwide, including in India. Every new Indian user gets the opportunity to use standard welcome bonus, but the most resourceful users have the ability to use a unique 1xbet promo code you will be able to claim a free bet to use and a 130% extra bonus. A generous casino welcome offer is also part of the rewards provided by promo code for 1xBet. The user becomes eligible for a reward of up to 130000 INR along with 150 Free Spins.

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