Rhino

It's a very atmospheric movie of great quality. The time of Ukraine history after USSR, when people didn't know what to do. It is strong, harsh, but realistic and depressing movie. But it shows what we've gone through - it's all have taken place. And this scares the most. There is no romance about a bandit life, but it will make you feel something.

This Ukrainian crime film, speaking of a petty hoodlum story, is certainly not for the squeamish, not for the sissies. It is brutal, bloody, cruel, but not without spirit. It is brilliant, a real testimony of the Ukrainian society, hopeless, desperate, but not without conscience. This petty hoodlum diary is predictable and the extreme violence never gratuitous, at last that's my own opinion. It is gritty, tough but poignant, sensitive, gloomy and not for all audiences. I have seen such films from indie film industries from many countries and I really love this. Forget the Hollywood crap. Watch this instead. The opening sequence in a long take is incredible.

Great movie depicting 1990s in Ukraine and life of criminals in the country during this period. Big kudos to Oleg Sentsov for using Ukrainian language: even though this isn't historically accurate, it sounds very organic and proves Ukrainian can be used in any setting.

In my opinion this is quite a remarkable piece of storytelling. Dark, brutal - very, very brutal - but never quite bleak. You see the humanity that is - or, at least was - in the central character and you hope he can find some kind of salvation. Will he find redemption, or sink deeper into the quagmire of his life. Or will justice catch up with him? No spoilers...

This is the kind of film I usually hate. They often portray a fantasy criminal world, with a 'good guy' who lives happily ever after, or portray the the criminals as the dregs of society and you don't care what happens to them. This movie manages to be completely different and keeps you interested right to the end.

I'm glad I liked this film. Sentsov became something of a hero to me after his imprisonment (even though I'm too old to have heroes and he would hate to be a hero to anyone). He's a man of intelligence, integrity and courage, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of his work.

Fortunate to see this at the Venice Film Festival and what a crazy ride. Forced to be up and close with characters in a world that has no breaks. Felt transported and loved every minute of it. Definitely not for the faint of heart.