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Reviews
Chuzhie (2008)
Phenomenal movie about culture clash (and most Americans will hate it)
This is a great movie with a few oddities but overall it's an extremely rare case of a modern Russian film that I can rate this high. Despite the claims of being anti-american (read reviews below) it is not. If anything, it is anti-stupidity. And if you were a Russian, you'd see anti-Russian sentiments there as well.
What is striking about this film, is Grymov's ability to weave personal dramas and insecurities into a bigger picture of a 3-way culture clash happening in an unnamed country in the Middle East. And, oh boy, this gets interesting. At some point I would even say realistic to the point of freaking out.
Why so? Because it hits the bull's eye on almost all points that I had a chance to experience firsthand. American messianism and unwavering belief in spreading the good at any cost (even when no one asks for it) - check. Middle Eastern mentality and attitude towards the outsiders - check. Russian attitude towards its own people as disposable material - check. Personal insecurities and compensating through playing a role of a good guy in large-scale issues waaay above their pay-grade - check. Individuals responding very differently to stress and melting down under pressure - check.
This movie is both a human drama and a drama of humanity that is too selfish and too preoccupied with their own little agendas. I get it why Americans totally hate this movie (Russians freaked out about "Chernobyl" series for that very reason) but hey... it's a pretty honest look in the mirror. Pretty much all of Europe would agree. So if you don't like what you see, you know whom to blame.
Great movie. Period.