After much procrastination, I finally watched the controversial and acclaimed Russian movie, Leviathan. Following the Cannes Film Festival win for the Best Screenplay, I attempted to watch the movie that was so dissected by the Russian and foreign press but was turned off by its gloomy and foreboding opening. A big fan of the “happy endings”, I could already tell that this tale would not end well. However; after the film has won the Golden Globe award, I finally found the strength to see for myself what all the fuss was about. After all, it is not often that a movie made in Russia gets so much criticism from the domestic media, moviegoers and even politicians.
Having finally watched the movie, I recognized that criticism of it being anti-Russian is misplaced. In my opinion, the themes that run through it are not specifically directed at Russian system; rather, Russia just serves as the backdrop of the universal story that could be set anywhere. My main gripe with the movie is that it is afflicted by the curse of many Russian movies- of being too protracted. Certain scenes could have been curtailed to make the depressing experience last under two hours.
The mildest criticism of the film centers on the characters’ use of Vodka in every social occasion, from celebration to dulling of pain from tragedies. As a Russian-American immigrant, I was not offended by it all. Vodka does hold a coveted place at many Russian social gatherings as a cheap source of reality forgetting stimulant. Moreover, the movie director, Andrey Zvyaginstsev explained in an interview with Sobesednik.ru that he insisted that the actors drink actual vodka at the scenes instead of the usual prop- water. Per Andrey, that was the natural way for the protagonist to deal with his agony.
For the admirers of the illustrious Russian curses, Leviathan, is one of the last Russian movies to use curse words in character dialogues, for which it also caught lots of flack. Last year, Russian legislature banned the use of curse words in all of its media and movies. While I am no fan of the foul language, its use does provide authenticity for the character interactions and his frustrations when dealing with obstacles in life.
I have to give credit to the Russian government for tacitly lending its support for this picture. Main character’s fight against the local tyrant mayor could be interpreted as an accusation of the Russian authoritative system of governance. There is even an unexpected scene where a character proposes using pictures of the current country’s leadership as target practice. Yet, notwithstanding above digs at the Russian government, the film was not banned in Russia and was even supported by the Russian Ministry of Culture, as the opening credits proudly state.
Foreign critics and movie awards organizations awarded many accolades to Leviathan. I fully expect the movie to even win the Oscar for Best Foreign Movie of the Year, not just for its compelling story but for its implicit criticism of Russia, which is very much in fashion now in the Western world. However, Russian audience is far less kind to the movie. Its portrayal of a life of an ordinary person in a small Russian town that is full of tragedies was taken as an affront to patriotic Russians citizens. Movie Director Zvyagentsev has even said on many occasions that he no longer views Russia as the country for him to continue living and working in. The protagonist in the movie is played by Alexei Serebryakov, a superb actor who is currently a subject of a witch hunt in Russia for his portrayal of the victim for whom nothing goes right.
The main subject of the movie, as its borrowed from the Bible name implies is the fight of a powerless man against the system. A system that is large, all encompassing and hungry just as the Biblical creature, Leviathan, that roamed the ancient oceans. Many Russians are displeased by such a dark portrayal of their homeland and its powers that be. I have to disagree that there is anything inherently anti-Russian in the movie or unique to its system of governance. Zvyaginstsev made a point upon accepting the Golden Globe that the movie is the accusation against the Systems at large- not just the Russian one. I concur, anyone watching this movie from within his/her own country can find many similarities with own government and its cynical wielding of unchecked power.
The film’s main character is helpless as his real estate property is confiscated unjustly by the local mayoralty and then is unfairly convicted for a murder he did not commit. As I watched the movie, I could not help but remember the recent revelations of abuses in American justice system that are just as poignant. As the Wall Street Journal recently reported, billions of dollars are likewise being taken away from innocent people in USA by local and federal government without any proof or adjudication of wrongdoing in a procedure called Civil Forfeiture. Even more disturbing is the fresh depiction by New York’s Federal Judge Rakoff of innocent people being forced to plead guilty to the crimes they did not commit. Periodically, shocking news comes out of innocent people released from US jails after serving decades behind bars on fabricated charges. Released innocents are just a drop in the bucket compared to how many more people are still held in US prisons unfairly. Does it mean that an American moviegoer should be offended by a US made movie that focuses on shortcomings of American justice system?
The fictional story of Leviathan movie reminds one of another Biblical story, one of the fight between David and Goliath. The moviegoer is constantly waiting for the underdog to slay his Goliath opponent. Alas, that relief never comes. As the Russian saying goes “Protiv loma net priyoma”- roughly translated as “there is no defense against a crowbar”, meaning there is no defense against superior weapons brandished by the government. In the unhappy ending, the simple and ordinary citizen has no recourse against the powerful government. Nevertheless, the film leaves off with the Priest preaching to his flock on the virtues of the truth. I was left with the feeling of hope that just as the Talmud predicts that the “Leviathan beast will be slain and its flesh served as a feast to the righteous”, so too, eventual truth will bring justice to all victims of all unfair systems worldwide.
By: Michael Levitis