IslandGuru Who payed the critics

Nonureva Really Surprised!

Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Ogosmith Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

healingart In the 1930s Stalin moved the members of the Siberian mafia from their homeland to Transnistria at the periphery of the Russian empire in order to weaken them by eradicating them from their homeland. Siberian criminals settled down around the river Dniester and, predictably, soon successfully resumed their activities. What is striking about these criminals – the honest criminals, as Lilin refers to them – is their code of honour. Siberian criminals do not deal either in drugs or prostitutes; they pay the highest respect to women (particularly pregnant women), to children and orphans, and to their elders; they consider the mentally and physically disabled or handicapped as being endowed with a special gift from God ("God-willed", as they describe them). The so-called Siberian Education is a special upbringing that brings together their criminal code and the Orthodox tradition implying, among other things, never mentioning the name of God or of the Holy Mother in vain. Furthermore, respect for the freedom of every living thing, humility, and simplicity are the basis of the Siberian criminal life. As young Kolima (the author's nickname) soon learns by listening to and watching his fellow rascals of Low River, in the city of Bender, "respect, courage, friendship, loyalty" play a pivotal role within this restricted society. All these values seem to hint at the pervasiveness of religion in the Siberian criminal community. Paradoxically enough for people used to manoeuvring pikes (flick-knives), rifles, guns, Kalashnikovs, the sacredness of life is at the centre of everyday practice. As Lilin puts it, "Our philosophy of life has a close relation to death; children are taught that taking someone else's life or dying are perfectly acceptable things, if there is a good reason".[1] Thus, children from a small age are accustomed to watch their parents killing small animals; later, they are given the opportunity to kill small animals themselves and to practice with their knife on the carcasses of bigger animals, like pigs or oxen. By the age of thirteen or fourteen the apprentice criminal might have one murder to his name. This is not at all perceived as dishonourable, since it does not imply vices such as sadism or cowardice. Even hunting in the woods is seen as a purification ritual "which enables a person to return to the state of primal innocence in which God created man".[2] Siberian criminal society is highly ritualized, and strict and severe rules codify almost every aspect of everyday life, from killing to sipping your tea, to choosing a tattoo.

enofile While I appreciate the technical skill of the cinematography, the dialogue, character development, and editing must have been created through an alcoholic haze fueled by bad potato Vodka. It's too bad the cinematographer was not involved in a project that included a competent director and production team. How John Malcovich took on this role must be a fascinating and convoluted story. His performance was no "stretch" and Malcovich's abilities as an actor are not on display in Deadly Code or whatever name this ersatz piece of filming wants to use. The plot is trite and there is nothing fresh or revealing in this "comic book tale" of organized ethnic crime in Russia. This subject matter, when focusing on the transformation of the USSR to the current 15 republics, provides fodder for great movie making. However, this particular story is ludicrous, inexplicable, and simply makes no sense. Malcovich's acting is an over the top campy goof, but the other performances are so weak, especially Kolya's the young lead, that Malcovich's thespian romp seems Olivierarian in comparison. The only redeeming part of this movie, as I mentioned, is the cinematography. Thus, if you are an aspiring film maker, watch this with the sound off. It's the only way to tolerate it.

greenclever Born in Omsk city, in Siberia. This film is total NONSENSE. Non, not a one thing in this film isn't true. I laughed loud XD on dude named "Gagarin" drinking "Chefir". And "Urkas" there is no such people in Sebiria.Lat's see a couple of crappy moments. The author is claiming that this is based on a true story. Well, from the first minutes terrible lies. I am talking about "Holy image" with handguns in her hands. Bang XD. Never, i repeat, it would not be allowed to draw handguns on a holy image of holy mother. Even criminals won't do that. 2nd crappy moment. Author claims, that there is some "Urkas" natives living in Siberia. I'am telling as Sebirian there's no "Urkas" in Seberia. The author of the book lies, and director who made this film on the base of liar's book, is liar. This whole film is a lie, with over exaggeration's all over. And all this lies with serious face.XDWell, i could continue forever, there are too many crappy moments in this "movie". Not bad, for a comedy film.Don't really have much to say about this movie. I just laughed loud, watching it. I bet, there would be some kind's of people taking this film serious. Please don't.You may watch it, but remember, as a true Sebirian i'am telling you - "This film show's no truth!", not even tiny bit.

Blueorca-1 I've been a member here for years. And i never wrote a review. But after watching this movie, even though there are bad reviews, I've just had to do a short review.This movie surprised me extremely. Its not perfect. But there's so much love to detail, its just art. Im not a big fan of movies about Russia nor do i like john malkowich very much. I've always thought of him as a pretty weird actor. In this movie: he was just perfect!Lower your expectations, watch this movie and i hope you will be positively surprised like i was. Somehow i hope there will be a sequel to this movie :) I got tired of the Italian mafia movies, Chinese marshal arts movies or American movies with big special effects... This was a welcome refreshment!P.S Im sorry for my weird English, it has been years since I've talked to anyone or written in English. I just watch movies with English audio a lot. :)