mchenrykrm This plot of this movie is rather depressing and has a sad ending, but like so many Russian films the acting and cinematography are great.The film centers on the issue of corruption in the Russian system and the influence the mafia has on law enforcement. The protagonist, a deputy police chief, by accident runs over a boy while rushing to witness his own child's birth. The mother of the child signs a statement taking the blame for the boy's death to save her husband from a beating by police. The conscience of the protagonist gets the better of him and he refuses to allow blame for the boy's death to shift to the mother. This angers the corrupt officials who fear the bad publicity will threaten their hold on power. Ultimately the protagonist's desire to take responsibility for his action leads to more spilled blood and turns a bad situation into a tragedy when he has to take the life of the boy's mother to save his own wife and child.No Hollywood fluff or pizazz here, just gritty and realistic characters caught up in a drama. One of the reasons I am a big fan of Russian cinema.

Red-125 The Russian film Mayor was shown in the U.S. with the title The Major (2013/I). It was written and directed by Yuriy Bykov. It stars Denis Shvedov as Sergey Sobolev, who is a major in the police force. Director Yuriy Bykov plays Pavel Korshunov, called Pasha, another high-ranking police officer.The film begins with Sergey driving very fast and recklessly to get to the hospital where his wife is in labor. He ignores warning signs and and speeds past a bus stop, where his car hits and kills a young boy. There is no question in anyone's mind--including Sergey's--that he's guilty of what we would call involuntary manslaughter or negligent homicide. If he were almost anything but a police officer, that would be that. However, he's a high-ranking police official, and he has options that others wouldn't have. He calls his fellow officer, Pasha, to help him decide what to do next.What follows if convoluted, horrifying, and very, very grim. The entire police force is in cesspool of incompetence and corruption. Sergey is involved in the corruption, although he appears to be a competent police officer, and he's well liked by other members of the force.Irina Nizina plays Irina Gutorova, the young boy's mother, and she does an outstanding job in a difficult role.For me, the real star of the movie is Pasha, played by director Bykov. Pasha is the ultimate pragmatist. He occasionally appears to be considering the consequences of his terrible actions, but he always ends up ignoring the evil and doing what needs to be done. It's hard for me to comprehend how an outstanding director can also be an outstanding actor. It's even harder for me to comprehend how the director can direct his own acting in a movie. It's just astonishing, and I watched the film with awe.We saw this film at the outstanding Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, NY. (Incidentally, this is an extraordinary venue in which to see movies.) The Major will work well on the small screen, although you may lose some of the sense of a Russian winter in a rural area.This is a movie definitely worth seeking out and seeing. Just don't expect rainbows and unicorns at the end.

GUENOT PHILIPPE Wonderful, amazing, superb, but maybe not for everyone...This Russian crime movie is an unexpected film indeed. An unusual scheme that reminds me a french movie made in 1975: LA TRAQUE. Not the same story,but the same atmosphere and especially the same lack of moral and ethics. A film that leaves you an ash taste in your mouth. See for yourself.In the deep Russia country side, a police officer accidentally kills a young boy whilst driving his car. And the child's mother is the only witness. Then, after the accident, the cop's colleagues arrive and decide to "arrange" the actual events, so that the Internal Affairs do not interfere with the local police force. See what I mean?And the police officers will stop at ANYTHING to get rid of the poor child's mother and father. So that the two of them do not jeopardize what the rotten cops have decided to cover up. Powerful performances, and also an outstanding character study.Enjoy the ending, where the child's mother runs away with her son's killer, who wants to save her from his fellow police officers.The Americans will NEVER make such a film, even the independent industry. NEVER.

corrosion-2 A police sergeant, driving at high speed to hospital to witness his wife's child delivery, causes a fatal accident. A corrupt colleague who arrives on the scene (a terrific performance by the director Yuri Bykov), offers him two choices: make an honest report and damage your career or we will help you blame it on the other driver (a woman whose child was killed in the accident). There follows a gripping thriller which poses serious moral questions. The Major packs a heavy punch and Yuri Bykov is obviously a name to watch. An atmospheric, beautifully acted film with direction, photography and editing to match. A real find and highly recommended.