5 great movies from the 21st century
Here we continue our reviews of Russian films. This week, we show you a list of 5 great movies from the 21st century. This is a great way to get acquainted with contemporary Russian cinema.
1) Night Watch (Ночной дозор)
Nochnoy Dozor is a supernatural thriller directed by Timur Bekmambetov. The movie is set in an X-Men like modern Russia, where there are men, called The Others, with supernatural power. The Others are allied with the forces either of Light or Dark, and the film shows engaging battles between the two factions.
2) What Men Talk About (О чём говорят мужчины)
O Chom Govoryat Muzhchiny is a 2010 comedy directed by Dmitri Dyachenko. The story is about four men going to a concert in Odessa. On the way, they talk about their problems at home with their wives and share their personal experiences. They film will entertain people of both sexes with funny jokes about women, money, cars, and football.
3) The Ninth Company (9 Рота)
9 Rota is a 2005 movie directed by Sergei Bondarchuk and set during the Soviet War in Afghanistan. It set a new record for the box-office earnings at the time. The film tells the story of a company of soldiers, the 9th company, that have to hold a nameless hill at all costs. They will show all their courage when sustaining a heavy attack of the Mujahedins.
4) Mermaid (Русалка)
Rusalka is a 2007 comedy-drama film directed by Anna Melikyan. It was both a box-office and a critical success. The movie is a modern adaptation of an Andersen fairy-tale: Alice has the ability to fulfill her desires. That power causes different adventures that will lead her to fall in love with a man called Sasha. But Fate is tricky, and Alice’s power will eventually hit her like a boomerang.
5) Dead Man’s Bluff (Жмурки)
Zhmurki is a 2005 black comedy by Alexei Balabanov, director of Brother and Brother 2. It also has elements of crime movies. Initially set in the 90’s, the film tells the story of two boys who manage to achieve fortune and reach the top of Russian society through crimes. This is a funny and bitterly ambiguous film that will make you laugh and think at the same time.
