Russian Lessons

My review after seeing this film at Sundance 2010: This film was truly profound. It represents a kind of investigative journalism I've never before witnessed. It was moving, disturbing, eye- opening, compelling, gripping... the list of descriptive desirables appropriate for this film goes on. It is a long film, but it does a monumental kind of work. It's an anti-propaganda propaganda film that is worth everyone's time. I can't say enough about this documentary - it's very easily the best of the eight sundance films i've seen this year. In terms of its effects on me personally, it is on par with Schindler's List. There are very few movies out there that I can say either (1) changed the way I will watch every movie for the rest of my life, and (2) changed the way that I see the world. Russian Lessons has done both in one go.

Ironically, the film which supposed to investigate how the Russian propaganda works has turned out to be the best example of propaganda itself - one sided story, presenting only the Georgian side's view. The piece on the war between Georgia and Abkhazia starts with the Georgian civilians fleeing Abkhazia and failing even to mention that the Georgian president Sevarnadze sent the troops including tanks to "sort out" Abkhazia in 1992 which lead to many non Georgian civilians killed. And interviewing Shevarnadze on the war is the same as asking Gaddafi on his view on the current events in Libya or asking Hitler on his view of the Second World War. Appalling ......

The movie contains some unique glimpses in the conflict between Russia and Georgia. The personal approach is very strong, you can easily get into the shoes of the local people. What I really miss is a whole and complete story of a conflict, where not only Georgians and Russians were involved. What about the view of the Abkhazians, or the Osetinians? The information presented is very little and makes it easy for the director to guide the audience in his own point of view. Which in my humble opinion could be misleading. What could be improved: more historical info on the people and ethnic groups who lived in the area, how did the communities settle and grow; info on the links between Georgian and US military forces; the oil and gas pipelines that Russia did not want to see in Georgia. Its best to read additionally on the internet to get a more comprehensive view.

Being Russian I am not offended when Hollywood movies make Russia look world evilest evil, since this is being done for ages and now seems natural, but these are not claimed documentaries. Right now a festival grade film theater next to me has Russian lessons on agenda. People with taste and intelligence had it selected, what a shame!

The movie contains neither beauty, nor truth, now enjoy this combination if you will. 90 minutes of CNN or FOXnews will substitute this movie for free at a price of a few ad-breaks

As for IMDb-rating, it is (with all respect to minorities) fake and gay, you don't trust 57 votes in 1 year, do you?

it's totally shocked me

even i had believed that i know a lot about the conflict between Russia and Georgia.

including early and recent war between Georgia and Abkhazia and south Ossetia.

especially those new saying about Beslan school accident.

i should create a chance to ask my doubt to director.cause i worried about the truth from the documentary may not the real truth.

it's so easy to make a documentary become propaganda in the news world today. Putin and Russian main media can made it, why not Georgian can't made it? so before everything clear, i just give it 7 point