Musulmanin

There is a fine line between a film that criticises society and a film that outright assaults society. This one falls into the latter category. It has absolutely nothing good to say about the Russian people, and nothing bad to say about the people who slit the throats of young Russian men. The idea that the protagonist wasn't killed when captured, and was even welcomed into Afghan society, seems fantastic. And what do the filmmakers do with this fantastic scenario? They use it as a plot device to show us just how sick, corrupt, and depraved every Russian in existence is. No one is spared here: his family, friends, locals, politicians, priests, his army buddies... But here's the ironic twist: While the film wants to portray as corrupt all these people who reject or even wish to murder the protagonist turned muslim, it makes the viewer wonder: Isn't at least that a redeeming feature of Russian society? Had an Afghan turned Christian, his own people would have killed him. These are the people whose morality the film glorifies from beginning to end. But perhaps it also means that Russian society still has the strength to condemn a traitor, despite all its shortcomings?

The film "Musul'manin" (or "Muslim") is about the return of the former Russian soldier who has been taken prisoner by Afghan warlords during Russia's long Afghan War (1975-85). Basically the theme of the movie is the moral breakdown and low-cultured existence of Russia's villages (and as far as this goes, 60% of Russian population lives in villages like the one shown) in the early-to-mid 90's (transitional years from Soviet Union to new Russia of today). The movie shows exceedingly well the main woes of Russia's society: ubiquitous alcoholism (and my fellow Russians, will have to agree that it's hardly exaggerated in the movie), larceny from the state by its citizens and from the citizens by the state, materialistic and opportunism-at-its-worst kind of mentality, boredom, lack of any entertainment, education or other facilities for youth, lack of basic necessities (like plumbing, sewing machines, roads, etc.), as well as unemployment (whether forced or voluntary). Add to that the "return of the soldier" plot with this soldier now being devout Muslim and being VERY pious, reverent and morally-righteous, unlike the rest of his home village This combination creates a lot of tension in the village, esp. between him and his alcoholic, out-of-control, ill-tempered and violent older brother, as well as between him and his new girl friend, mother and others. Film is got a little bit mystical side too, and a bit of thriller, but I don't want to give the surprise away, better watch it, :). So if you're interested in learning more about Russian culture, studying Russian language or just foreign movie enthusiasts, it's a good one to watch. One of the few best Afghan-related war movies as well.

Nice shots of countryside, ponds, meadows, log cabins. But aside from that, it was too slow and the dialogs too boring. Not an urbanite bunch, small rural village society but presented awkwardly and grotesque (take for example the scene of people jumping into the river to catch dollar bills floating).

The movie has a good idea but the execution leaves a lot to be desired and everything looks cheap with few scenarios that are repeated all the time. However, the acting is decent at its best and even with such a shallow script sometimes it's the only thing that saves a scene.

The movie is boring and I almost slept at the end, if you really want to see it, watch it for the nice visuals and cinematography and do not expect to be entertained all the time.

I did not particularly like this movie. During the Soviet times many Russian movies portrayed religious people as stupid and narrow-minded. In the 90's the trend reversed and this movie is an example of it. Too much emphasis on religion, and you feel that the makers of the movie are trying to push religion on you (whatever religion it might be).

The movie also attempts to be fancy-shmancy with symbolism, but the attempts seem quite forced.

The portrayal of a Russian village of the mid-90's is fairly accurate, but that's about the only redeeming feature of this flick.

> and as far as this goes, 60% of Russian population lives in villages > like the one shown

What an ignorant comment! FYI, 75% of Russians live in urban environments, and of the remaining 25% plenty live in quite prosperous villages (such as one where I spent most of the summers of my childhood in the early and mid-90's which is exactly when the movie is supposed to be taking place).