Prisoner of the Mountains (1996)

By definition this is a war film, however the vast majority of the film is something else. The main protagonist, Zhilin, is a novice enlistee, played by Sergei Bodrov Junior. Whereas Sanya, the senior officer is played by an incredibly emotive Oleg Menshikov. Both of these men are captured after being knocked out during the course of a small skirmish with local militants in the Caucasus region, and are held captive in the hope that an exchange of prisoners can be made. War is an existential event, setting our perspectives into two options: life, or death. As one might assume, the role of manhood within this film is evident and in a sense acts as a determining factor as to who makes it out alive. Sanya shows cracks within his inner being; he goes from moments in which he is radiant with boundless energy – dancing on the roof of the aul in which they are held captive, and in another instance he is seen sobbing uncontrollably while chained to his fellow soldier. Obviously this is a perilous predicament, but Vanya (Zhilin) is able to keep a level head under this pressure of not knowing whether or not he might make it out of these mountains. In fact Vanya is able to make friends with his captors, both Hassan and Dina – the daughter of Abdul Murad. Sanya when in his brighter moods is able to socialize and make fun of the tongue-less Hassan, and Vanya seems to go along with this. Overall it is this glimpse into the human side of war that helps to make it a good movie, but it is the ending that truly makes it all worthwhile. As a viewer you feel horrified, because you have begun to see these "mountain savages" as living breathing human beings. Given the ongoing war at the time of the movie's release, it is likely that it could have been filmed in this particular time period (before or after 1996).In terms of rating, I would give it a 9 as it's not the most cinematographically groundbreaking film, but it does gives people a glimpse into the inner sanctum of a lesser understood culture. There are some amazing shots that show the rugged beauty of the auls, which are the dwellings carved into the sides of cliffs. Furthermore, it is possible to get a taste of the way of life – how humans regardless of nationality just want to live by whatever means possible, and that war is not something to seek out.

One might assume that the title refers only to the two Russian soldiers taken hostage by villagers in the Caucasus. But the Russian army has the village surrounded, so the townspeople are also prisoners. Moreover, each side is a prisoner of their own hate: the Russians can't see the villagers as humans and the villagers can't see the Russians as humans, thereby continuing the cycle of hate. Even the village elder is a prisoner of tradition: he uses a ceremonial knife for something in which he could have used a gun.All in all, "Kavkazskiy plennik" (called "Prisoner of the Mountains" in English) is a very well done movie. Oleg Menshikov and Sergei Bodrov Jr. do very well with their roles, and the situation in Chechnya makes the movie all the more relevant.

Like many other Russian films, the two main characters in `Prisoner of the Mountains' can be viewed as representative of the Russia that was and the Russia that is. Through their interactions with each other and the other characters in the movie, it is possible to draw conclusions about the state of the new Russia, the relationship between Old and New, and the problems and challenges that new Russia will face. Ivan, the young, innocent Russian soldier represents the new Russia. He is open, accepting, inexperienced, and most importantly, he is not filled with hate. The second Russian soldier in the film, Sasha, is the old Russia. He is experienced in war and killing; as he puts it, he did not start out a killer, but he learned to love it over time. He was not always so callus, but grew so because of his environment. He is hard, cold, and firmly believes in the limits that race and ethnicity place on people. These two are both captured, and as they spend time living amongst their captors, both seem to form relationships and bonds with them. Sasha, however, only does this to gain their trust, and without a moments hesitation kills Hasan, the mute, with whom he spent so much time. Ivan, on the other hand, creates genuine bonds, truly finding love with the young girl. Ivan is not caught up with the fact that his feelings are taboo; his young heart and his open mind do not have room for hate. Ivan is caught up in a war he has no part of; it is Sasha's war, not his. Because of the actions of Sasha, old Russia, the potential relationship between Ivan and the young girl, new Russia and Chechnya, is never realized. Ivan suffers because of the moves made on his behalf by the war mongering Sasha. Sasha has nothing to escape for, but he promises Ivan he will get him home. Sasha's method, however, only serves to worsen the situation. Even when Sasha is dead, it is too late for Ivan, the scars, distrust, and hatred run too deep to ever be mended, and new Russia is left dealing with the issues and hate it does understand that old Russia has left behind.

There are probably a lot of prejudices people have against Russian film. Mine were gone after I had seen this one."Kavkazskij plennik" is a film about a youth who's being sent to Chechnya to fight for the Russian army. He's together with another Russian soldier being captured in Chechnya by an older Chechnyan man who wants to change them for his own son, who's is being held by the Russians. There being locked into an old house high among the Caucasian mountains. Soon a friendship develops between them and young girl who brings them food and water. This movie was made after and during the last months of the first Chechnyan war. Everybody's a victim and there is nothing to win in this war, specially for the Russians. It is just a matter of how much you lose. The persons in this film do not hate each other because their fighting on different sides. The Chechnyans probably hates what these Russian soldiers represent, but they know that this war isn't caused by these two Russians. They are both just a small, meaningless part of it. Russia does not give a damn about their lives, probably because it's leaders have lost the humane touch, while calculating their offensives. Lives have been reduced into numbers on white sheet. But there are people who care, even among the "enemies". Normal people still show respect for humanity.The rhythm of the movie is great, it leaves the viewer enough time to think and also find the deeper thoughts from the movie. The music is well selected too, I just cant get that tune out of my head. This together with a realistic humane aspect gives this movie a strong pacifistic tune. Definitely worth to take a look at.