As a person from Russia sometime I laugh at representations of Russians on American screen. But mostly I want to cry.
So this time it's some Kozlov brothers who are even worse than John Malkovich with his horrific accent. He is ruthless killer but he can pronounce comprehended sentences. Kozlovs are barely human.
Do Americans really see us only as bandits, KGB agents and oil oligarchs?
I didn't like The Queen's Gambit but at least their creators has a decency to portrait Soviet's people as human beings.
Guys I'll tell you a secret. No one plays or hears balalaikas in Russia. We don't all drink vodka. And my bear isn't roaring in my room while I'm writing these words.
And if you're thinking in stereotypes at least do your homework.
Malkovich's character couldn't possibly visit Christmas bazaar in Moscow because Christmas wasn't celebrated in USSR. USSR was officially atheist country with no religion. People celebrated New Year but not Christmas.
Another secret is that there are no oil oligarchs in modern Russia. There is only Gazprom company which is owned by Putin's close friend Sechin so basically by Putin himself. Putin owns Russia like tsars used to own our poor country. It's his oil so he's the only Russian oil oligarch. Read «Le avventure di Cipollino» to understand like the things are in Russia. Read something and stop thinking in Cold war categories. It's embarrassing for God's sake.