12 (2007)

Director:

Nikita Mikhalkov

Writers:

Nikita Mikhalkov (writer)
Vladimir Moiseyenko (writer)
(more)

Release Date:

20 September 2007 (Russia)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller | War

Plot:

12 jurors must decide the fate of a Chechen teenager charged with murdering his stepfather.

Plot Keywords:

Father Son Relationship | Adoption | Russia | School | Flashback

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Sergei Makovetsky
Sergei Garmash
Aleksei Petrenko
Yuri Stoyanov
Sergei Gazarov
Nikita Mikhalkov
Mikhail Yefremov
Valentin Gaft
Aleksei Gorbunov
Sergei Artsybashev
Viktor Verzhbitsky
Roman Madyanov
Aleksandr Adabashyan
Apti Magamaev

Directed by
Nikita Mikhalkov

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Nikita Mikhalkov		writer
Vladimir Moiseyenko		writer
Aleksandr Novototsky		writer

Original Music by
Eduard Artemyev

Cinematography by
Vladislav Opelyants

Sound Department
Vincent Arnardi	....	sound re-recording mixer
Julien Perez	....	assistant sound re-recording mixer
André Rigaut	....	sound mixer

Special Effects by
Ilya Churinov	....	special effects coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Martin Grosup	....	camera operator: "a" camera

Production Companies

• Studio Trite

Distributors

• Karoprokat (2007) (Russia) (theatrical)
• Kinomania (2007) (Ukraine) (theatrical)
• Swallow Wings (2008) (Taiwan) (theatrical)
• 01 Distribution (2008) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Annie Planet (2008) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Filmmuseum Distributie (2009) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Hexagon Pictures (2008) (Japan) (theatrical)
• KinoVista (2008) (France) (all media)
• Sony Pictures Classics (2008) (USA) (theatrical)

Also Known As:

12 razgnevannyh muzhchin (Russia) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violent images, disturbing content, thematic material, brief sexual and drug references, and smoking.

Runtime:

159 min

Country:

Russia

Language:

Russian | Chechen

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Taiwan:R-12

Filming Locations:

Mosfilm Studios, Moscow, Russia

Company:

Studio Trite

Trivia:

Sergei Garmash dreamed to participate in any Nikita Mikhalkov's movie for a long time. He literally begged the director to give him a role in his movie. One morning Mikhalkov called him and asked "Do you go to church". Garmash said "Yes". Mikhalkov then asked "Do you pray a lot?". Garmash said "Yes". Mikhalkov then said "Your prayers have been heard! The script is on the way".

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): At the end of the movie the head juror counts votes and counts himself last. But instead of "twelve" he says "thirteen" (in Russian). The error may have been deliberate.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 80th Annual Academy Awards (2008) (TV)

An encouraging thoughts film

A remake of a famous praised film is always a high-risk project, because a director takes risks to lapse into blind imitation. Fortunately Mikhalkov has enough talent and experience to rethink "12 Angry Men" by Sidney Lumet, to pass it through his own identity and produce an absolutely new and fresh film. This thought-provoking film surpassed all my expectations. Though it is a remake of an American movie, its plot is rooted in Russian reality. It reflects a lot of society's ills and nation's fears. I was deeply moved and fully satisfied with totally naturalistic dialogues. To my mind all-star cast played with miraculous virtuosity. The characters are true to life and I am sure that any Russian will be able to recognize himself in one of these 12 men. "12" is a stunning and intense drama with a large pool of talented actors, which leaves a lasting impression with you.