An outstanding, intelligent film with a heart - two films, actually, that run concurrently. The first: a realistic, near-documentary look at the Russian army and, specifically, one conscript; it's savage, brutal and makes one despair. The second: a heart-breaking and -warming story of a 9-year old boy and his teenage sister and baby brother who become estranged when their parents are murdered by Russian soldiers. The point at which these two stories touch is shocking and brilliant.
20 Reviews
Haznavicious comes to terms with history
smeurer-378938 March 2015
I totally disagree with "madamebaterflaj" - although this isn't the "best film ever" (and how could it be, depicting the horror of war), it is not bad at all. Yes, it is anti-Russian, but don't you remember how the story went? It's like saying "Schindler's List is black-and-white anti-German propaganda".... It is an European point of view, of course, so even if there is a sort of happy end, the focus of the story are not the emotions of the characters, not even the characters maybe, but History and how we all are involved. The boy actor is simply terrific, some times he looks like an old guy, a grown up man, and then again he shows he's just a little boy. Beautiful photography. Beautiful soundtrack. Might be a bit too long but not that much.
Captivating and Moving
mstrohm-705-61467331 December 2016
This is a remake of a 1948 movie with the same name, but with a second story along side the updated original. Like the original movie, this will tug at your heart by displaying the real cost of war. But unlike the original, this movie not only shows the "victim" side through the use of a homeless little child, it also shows the "victimization" of 18 year old boys, those having to fight. This movie is a bit gory, but is very respectful and does not show gratuitous gore. The movie seems to develop slowly, a style many who enjoy European movies have come to expect. However, unlike many European movies, this one has a nice "twist" at the end that is likely to put a smile on your face, in the midst of the horrors and realities of war. The two stories are only tied together at the very end and only in a brief, somewhat unsatisfying way. But if one understands that the movie is reflecting on how awful war is on young lives, it does make sense. Slow, moving and powerful. Not the typical fast paced, complex and neatly wrapped up US production. If you want to watch, sit, relax and enjoy.
Such a beautiful film!
albla-2371125 October 2018
like the kid
SnoopyStyle16 June 2018
It's 1999, the Second Chechen War. Young Russian Army recruit Kolia is filming the troops. They kill an elderly couple. Their 9 year old son Hadji escapes with his baby brother. He leaves the baby with the neighbors and joins the refugees going north. Alone and turning mute, he is taken in by french woman Carole who is writing a report for the EU Human Rights Committee. Helen (Annette Bening) runs the local humanitarian effort and dismisses her work. Meanwhile, Hadji's sister actually survived the massacre and sets off searching for him. The movie also follows Kolia as he signs up with his friend. He faces brutal treatment in the Russian Army and is then sent to the front.
This is a French film made in Georgia. I like the kid and the French woman, no matter how unlikely the situation. The sister's story has a few compelling moments although the reunion is never in doubt. Kolia is never that compelling to me. His part could function much better by itself which would look closer to Full Metal Jacket. By itself, his story has value. The production and the war torn setting all look fine. It's just that I don't care that much about him and I kept waiting for the movie to return to the boy. I also have an issue with her boring speech to the committee. She has a great prop for her report. She could simply film Hadji talking about losing his family and that would be infinitely more riveting than her report. It seems like an obvious move for the story and for her character. It would then be even more heartbreaking when her boss reprimands her for her supposed stunt. Somebody should write better. Overall, I like the kid and his journey. The other stuff and the minor problems detract from a better score.
This is a French film made in Georgia. I like the kid and the French woman, no matter how unlikely the situation. The sister's story has a few compelling moments although the reunion is never in doubt. Kolia is never that compelling to me. His part could function much better by itself which would look closer to Full Metal Jacket. By itself, his story has value. The production and the war torn setting all look fine. It's just that I don't care that much about him and I kept waiting for the movie to return to the boy. I also have an issue with her boring speech to the committee. She has a great prop for her report. She could simply film Hadji talking about losing his family and that would be infinitely more riveting than her report. It seems like an obvious move for the story and for her character. It would then be even more heartbreaking when her boss reprimands her for her supposed stunt. Somebody should write better. Overall, I like the kid and his journey. The other stuff and the minor problems detract from a better score.
The movie about the forgotten people
stigal-110 August 2015
I'm Chechen and I've seen the war in my country. This story is only a simple story from a hundred of thousands other stories of Russian- Chechen wars.
As someone that have seen the war, it was very difficult for me to watch this movie, I'm a man and I was watching it with the tears in my eyes, it has reminded me all the horrible dark nights in my country.
I'm honestly thankful to Mr. Michel Hazanavicius. It's very obvious that he did not make this movie for money and success but because he thought that someone has to tell the truth.
You will see many people saying that this movie has a political goals, anti-Russia propaganda etc and etc, however truth is truth neither you like it or not. Those are mainly people who did not suffer even a 1% of pain that Chechen people did. at least 35% of Chechens were killed in last two wars, about 40.000 of them were children. They burned people alive, just simple example, google "Samashki massacre" and thats from the war in 1994. The Search is about the second war 1999 which was much worst than the previous war. The history of Chechnya and Russia is horrible, there been so many wars in last 400 years, the history is indeed horrible.
This movie shows a very little percent of what was really happening in Chechnya, however it tells the truth, It's very disappointing that now days not many people really wants to hear the truth, not much people do really care and that's what movie tells as well.
The genocide of Jewish people, the genocide of Chechen and all the other people genocides, those are not only problem of certain people/nation but the problem and the issue of the world and all the people.
This is a very honest and based on a true stories movie, this isn't a comedy and action for fun, this is a movie that made with heart for the people that still care.
--- Dear Michel Hazanavicius,
Thank you very much for this movie from all the Chechen people around the world, one day in Independent Chechen Republic you will be our most welcomed guest. We believe in it.
As someone that have seen the war, it was very difficult for me to watch this movie, I'm a man and I was watching it with the tears in my eyes, it has reminded me all the horrible dark nights in my country.
I'm honestly thankful to Mr. Michel Hazanavicius. It's very obvious that he did not make this movie for money and success but because he thought that someone has to tell the truth.
You will see many people saying that this movie has a political goals, anti-Russia propaganda etc and etc, however truth is truth neither you like it or not. Those are mainly people who did not suffer even a 1% of pain that Chechen people did. at least 35% of Chechens were killed in last two wars, about 40.000 of them were children. They burned people alive, just simple example, google "Samashki massacre" and thats from the war in 1994. The Search is about the second war 1999 which was much worst than the previous war. The history of Chechnya and Russia is horrible, there been so many wars in last 400 years, the history is indeed horrible.
This movie shows a very little percent of what was really happening in Chechnya, however it tells the truth, It's very disappointing that now days not many people really wants to hear the truth, not much people do really care and that's what movie tells as well.
The genocide of Jewish people, the genocide of Chechen and all the other people genocides, those are not only problem of certain people/nation but the problem and the issue of the world and all the people.
This is a very honest and based on a true stories movie, this isn't a comedy and action for fun, this is a movie that made with heart for the people that still care.
--- Dear Michel Hazanavicius,
Thank you very much for this movie from all the Chechen people around the world, one day in Independent Chechen Republic you will be our most welcomed guest. We believe in it.
Incredibly moving anti war film based on the Second Russian - Chechen War
t-dooley-69-38691623 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This film is set during the Second Russo Chechen War and deals, essentially, with one families fate. The film opens with Russian soldiers filming the aftermath of an 'anti-terrorist operation' – which is essentially destroying a Chechen village and executing civilians. One of the families's affected have two boys and Hadji escapes with his baby brother. After an arduous journey his path crosses that of Carole (Berenice Bejo) who works for an NGO.
Her initial reticence is soon replaced by affection as she tries to care for the young boy who has been so traumatised that he has stopped speaking. We also get the story of the common Russian soldier as shown through the experiences of Kolia (Maksim Emelyanov) and the dehumanising way they are made to conform.
What follows is a tragic, moving and plaintive anti-war film. The futility and pointlessness of conflict is shown in such a naked way as to be almost surreal. The film goes almost black and white in places as if war drains the colour from life – which for many it must surely do. The performances are amazing and I have to admit I was moved to tears on more than one occasion. Written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius who also directed 'The Artist' – he has managed to capture the feeling of fear, desperation and hope all at the same time and make a two hour film that seems to slip past in mere minutes. One of the more praiseworthy films I have seen for a while and indeed worthy of all the plaudits and more.
Her initial reticence is soon replaced by affection as she tries to care for the young boy who has been so traumatised that he has stopped speaking. We also get the story of the common Russian soldier as shown through the experiences of Kolia (Maksim Emelyanov) and the dehumanising way they are made to conform.
What follows is a tragic, moving and plaintive anti-war film. The futility and pointlessness of conflict is shown in such a naked way as to be almost surreal. The film goes almost black and white in places as if war drains the colour from life – which for many it must surely do. The performances are amazing and I have to admit I was moved to tears on more than one occasion. Written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius who also directed 'The Artist' – he has managed to capture the feeling of fear, desperation and hope all at the same time and make a two hour film that seems to slip past in mere minutes. One of the more praiseworthy films I have seen for a while and indeed worthy of all the plaudits and more.
A Tragically Great Film
mikemm1618 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Academy Award winning director, Michel Hazanavicius, directs a beautiful film about four interconnected stories that face the tragedies of the Chechnya War. I honestly was not even aware of what this war entailed until I saw this film. Hazanavicius previously directed the Oscar winning film The Artist (2011) and thus takes a very dramatic turn with his newest feature. The Search is not lighthearted at all like his previous films. It is rooted in darkness and horror. The film opens up to a soldier filming a family being slaughtered as a form of entertainment. The entire mood becomes dark, and that effect is not due to the grayish tint that happens to be present throughout the film.
The darkness is due to the realities of war and the effects it has on everyone from young men thrown into mandatory military service to children left as orphans. The plot follows Hadji, a young lad who witnesses his family's murder by the soldiers at the beginning of the film. Hadji flees his home in search of someplace safer and is reluctant to be picked up by refugees and taken to an orphanage. He does not know however that his teenage sister, Raissa, managed to survive. She begins to search for Hadji, whom she believes is still alive.
The plot thickens as we now move on to see a young Russian teen, Kolia, recruited for military duty. This becomes the most disturbing part of the film. As we see Hadji's life slowly improving after befriending a human rights worker, the film follows the slow deterioration of a young man's morals by the facets of war. Kolia transforms from a normal teenage boy into a ruthless killing machine that embodies no hope of redemption. He learns to kill innocence and leave what's left of his childhood behind.
This transition in the film offers an interesting perspective. The audience goes from watching the horrors caused by war to sympathizing with a Russian soldier who becomes responsible for more destruction in the future. As one innocent life begins to improve, another innocent life begins to decline. Kolia never wanted to join the Russian military shown by his suicide attempts and frequent moments of hysteria. Hadji obviously didn't want his parents murdered. Therefore, both stories offer two dramatically different sides of war traumas. While Hadji's future remains hopeful however, Kolia's spirals downhill into a black box of despair. It's interesting to see that the people responsible for warfare have the most tragic endings. The point is, no matter which side you're on, war offers no benefits to the players directly involved. It transforms and configures humanity into a world nobody would want to live in. Children are forced to mature way beyond their years, and families are torn apart.
With the help of the human rights worker, Carole, Hadji's situation goes from horrible to optimistic. Berenice Bejo plays Carole. Once again working with Michel Hazanavicius, the Oscar nominated actress delivers another masterful performance. She provides a light at the end of the tunnel effect. Carole houses young Hadji after seeing him wandering the streets alone and without any provisions. The human rights worker establishes a connection with Hadji after several unsuccessful tries due to Hadji's complete silence. He's experienced traumatic events that would obviously leave someone shell shocked and saddened.
It is Berenice Bejo who steals the show. With her persistent attitude in trying to raise support and awareness for the innocent victims of the Chechnya War, she ignites a burning passion to help especially after hearing other victims' stories. The best scene showing this determination and relentless attitude is when Carole is on the phone with a European Union correspondent. She has been trying to arrange a meeting to inform people of the issues she witnesses every day. Her speech, backed with a mixed range of power, frustration, and genuine care, not only gets her a meeting but also leaves the audience wanting to help the situation too.
Although family is destroyed in this film, it offers a positive alternative. Carole wants to adopt Hadji, but we know that Raissa is still alive and searching for him. This puts us in a perplexing spot because we want both Carole and Raissa to achieve what they have been searching for all along. Carole searches for inspiration and meaning to her work and life finding that in Hadji, while Raissa searches for what's left of her family.
The Search offers multiple perspectives at the negative effects of war. The soldier, innocent child, and maturing teenager face direct effects while the orphanage head, EU correspondent, and human rights worker face indirect effects. The complexity of each situation is made so easy to watch and understand. Michel Hazanavicius is a great director, and I will always continue to search for his future films.
The darkness is due to the realities of war and the effects it has on everyone from young men thrown into mandatory military service to children left as orphans. The plot follows Hadji, a young lad who witnesses his family's murder by the soldiers at the beginning of the film. Hadji flees his home in search of someplace safer and is reluctant to be picked up by refugees and taken to an orphanage. He does not know however that his teenage sister, Raissa, managed to survive. She begins to search for Hadji, whom she believes is still alive.
The plot thickens as we now move on to see a young Russian teen, Kolia, recruited for military duty. This becomes the most disturbing part of the film. As we see Hadji's life slowly improving after befriending a human rights worker, the film follows the slow deterioration of a young man's morals by the facets of war. Kolia transforms from a normal teenage boy into a ruthless killing machine that embodies no hope of redemption. He learns to kill innocence and leave what's left of his childhood behind.
This transition in the film offers an interesting perspective. The audience goes from watching the horrors caused by war to sympathizing with a Russian soldier who becomes responsible for more destruction in the future. As one innocent life begins to improve, another innocent life begins to decline. Kolia never wanted to join the Russian military shown by his suicide attempts and frequent moments of hysteria. Hadji obviously didn't want his parents murdered. Therefore, both stories offer two dramatically different sides of war traumas. While Hadji's future remains hopeful however, Kolia's spirals downhill into a black box of despair. It's interesting to see that the people responsible for warfare have the most tragic endings. The point is, no matter which side you're on, war offers no benefits to the players directly involved. It transforms and configures humanity into a world nobody would want to live in. Children are forced to mature way beyond their years, and families are torn apart.
With the help of the human rights worker, Carole, Hadji's situation goes from horrible to optimistic. Berenice Bejo plays Carole. Once again working with Michel Hazanavicius, the Oscar nominated actress delivers another masterful performance. She provides a light at the end of the tunnel effect. Carole houses young Hadji after seeing him wandering the streets alone and without any provisions. The human rights worker establishes a connection with Hadji after several unsuccessful tries due to Hadji's complete silence. He's experienced traumatic events that would obviously leave someone shell shocked and saddened.
It is Berenice Bejo who steals the show. With her persistent attitude in trying to raise support and awareness for the innocent victims of the Chechnya War, she ignites a burning passion to help especially after hearing other victims' stories. The best scene showing this determination and relentless attitude is when Carole is on the phone with a European Union correspondent. She has been trying to arrange a meeting to inform people of the issues she witnesses every day. Her speech, backed with a mixed range of power, frustration, and genuine care, not only gets her a meeting but also leaves the audience wanting to help the situation too.
Although family is destroyed in this film, it offers a positive alternative. Carole wants to adopt Hadji, but we know that Raissa is still alive and searching for him. This puts us in a perplexing spot because we want both Carole and Raissa to achieve what they have been searching for all along. Carole searches for inspiration and meaning to her work and life finding that in Hadji, while Raissa searches for what's left of her family.
The Search offers multiple perspectives at the negative effects of war. The soldier, innocent child, and maturing teenager face direct effects while the orphanage head, EU correspondent, and human rights worker face indirect effects. The complexity of each situation is made so easy to watch and understand. Michel Hazanavicius is a great director, and I will always continue to search for his future films.
truthful and brave movie
jite-5691412 June 2018
Thanks to the producer for the courage to create such masterpiece. This is one of the movies that forced me to think about meaning of life and the cruelty of Russians. After the movie I immediately logged to internet to search who created this and to express my admiration and gratitude.
Russians are bad, Chechens are good
papipaco-029891 January 2016
Manichaeist movie filmed in the time the first "refugees" (or economical migrants) were starting to come to Europe in millions, the producer smelt the profit. However, you see the trailer, you watched it and saved some tears in the way.
About the movie itself... it's just 2 personal stories without any link or twist. Slow as hell, all you can expect is when the movie will finish. The small kid Hadji makes a good performance though.
About the director, I'd love to see him and his "chosen people" living in Chechen, surrounded by all these nice guys they are making them flee from such nice cities in the past as Malmö, Rotterdam, Antwerpen or Brussels.
About the movie itself... it's just 2 personal stories without any link or twist. Slow as hell, all you can expect is when the movie will finish. The small kid Hadji makes a good performance though.
About the director, I'd love to see him and his "chosen people" living in Chechen, surrounded by all these nice guys they are making them flee from such nice cities in the past as Malmö, Rotterdam, Antwerpen or Brussels.
Gripping and tragic. Please disregard the numerous troll coments
AndersGustafsson9 August 2020
This film is a tad long and sad, but well worth watching. The topic is still important and the film shows how war brutalises people and how the international community turns a blind eye.
There are several reviews here that have been witten by Russian trolls that did not even bother to watch the film. In reality does the film strike a reasonable balance in portraying the russian solidiers. Ie not all russian solidiers are bad and not all Checehens are good. The depiction of how solidiers anre brutalised in an unjust war is not much different from the one in "Full Metal Jacket".
Both Kolja and Hadji produce very strong acting performances and Anette Benning shines as the all too overworked aid worker
There are several reviews here that have been witten by Russian trolls that did not even bother to watch the film. In reality does the film strike a reasonable balance in portraying the russian solidiers. Ie not all russian solidiers are bad and not all Checehens are good. The depiction of how solidiers anre brutalised in an unjust war is not much different from the one in "Full Metal Jacket".
Both Kolja and Hadji produce very strong acting performances and Anette Benning shines as the all too overworked aid worker
What movies are all about!
rps-218 September 2015
This is one of the finest films I've ever seen (and there are over 2000 titles on my IMDb list.) It is a gutsy, grim, graphic story with some really horrible characters and some outstandingly good ones. Most amazing is the performance of young Abdul Khalim Mamutsiev. There is very little about him in the biography section but if this young boy (he's 9 in the movie) is this great now, he will be another Olivier by the time he's 20! This film captures the grim reality of the Chechan war, the mindless and corrupt brutality of the Russian army both within and outside its ranks and the bleak, blood soaked reality of the country. The entire film is shot in stark, cold colours with powerful effects and staging. I forget some films. It will be impossible to forget this one!
Haven't seen a worse film in ages
madambaterflaj7 March 2015
I don't even know where to begin on how awful this film is. The anti-Russian black and white propaganda aside (no Russian person is depicted in any other way than as a junky, aggressive, delusional, blood-thirsty lunatic), the plot is so full of illogical behaviour of the characters; no deeper development of the characters is done despite the length which is a mere product of poor directing by a person who doesn't know when to say CUT, nor how to instruct the actors to give a little bit more flesh to the bone. What a waste of the funds and trust gained after the "Artist" (although I must admit, I didn't like it either, but it had at least some substance; it was too long as well, I might add). So unnecessarily long. What a mistake of a film. What an obvious and childish propaganda. I guess Hazanavicius was just extremely lucky with the "Artist". Here he showed what a dilettante he actually is. Shame.
A Wallop!
MikeyB17938 November 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This is pretty powerful stuff. It pulls no punches. The performance by the little boy Hadji (played by Abdul Khalim Mamutsiev) is simply outstanding. The settings – the villages under Russian bombardment, the refugees on the road... are all very gritty and convincing. At times this film just hits you in the face. The Russian army scenes do this literally. And from what I understand of new Russian army recruits it can be even worse.
The story does have a suitable ending. Annette Bening has a minor role and is eclipsed by Abdul and Berenice Bejo, the human rights worker. Definitely a very engaging film – but be prepared!
The story does have a suitable ending. Annette Bening has a minor role and is eclipsed by Abdul and Berenice Bejo, the human rights worker. Definitely a very engaging film – but be prepared!
Subhumans.
taggartf8 September 2016
Well done Mr. Michel Hazanavicius, you've made the nice piece of absolutely one-sided turned propaganda. Don't know did you do it by commission or it was only your point of view, but i clearly understand that you wanna say by this movie - Russians are subhumans. It's shines through all movie, through all scenes. I think Europeans like to see such view on Russia and people who live there, but, to be honest, it's disgusting. Dunno maybe it's because I am Russian and such unfair demonstrations of lies about me and my country make me sad or maybe it's because i understand what's going to be next? If Russians are so bad ass subhumans - they must pay for their sins? Is that what you want? We already survived one such guy, who thought we subhumans - BTW he was from Europe - you know? I don't understand are Europeans don't see how people like Hazanavicius growing hatred against an entire nation? Sad.
Brutal and honest movie
haosstoposto19 August 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I will not elaborate movie plot in detail, it is a remake of the award winning movie of the same name from 1948, and of course it is a similar story. But I must say that it is a important movie about a forgotten conflict in Chechnya. The reception of the movie was poor in EU and it is clear why. The Director shows the reality of European and Russian politics, the europeans are indifferent to the problems of small oppressed nations in the former SSSR, and reluctant to do anything against the Russian terror. I was surprised to see an European movie which clearly takes sides with the victim and does not try to detach from the conflict, something which has always been popular among the political correct movie-makers, quoting both sides are equally guilty". And we see a surprising accurate depiction of the training in the Russian army, a traditionally brutal thing. All in all, a must see movie. The truth must be told and the crimes must not be forgotten.
A immaculate movie
landnproductions3 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
An absolute masterful piece of storytelling, it takes the viewpoint of three main characters, a Chechen child, a french UN human rights worker and finally a Russian soldier, it is one of the best war movies I've watched, focusing around the trauma and pain shown throughout the Second Chechen War, delving into the deep despair of individuals in the country, and also illustrating the culture within. Whilst providing an absolutely heartwarming and amazing arc between the Chechen child hadji and the french UN worker Carole, and a visceral and depressing view into the military from kolia as he is broken down from a normal younger through the meat grinder of his role in the Russian camp and the outright hateful treatment he receives from soldiers and officers above him, until he is dulled to the reality of war. Becoming like everyone else in the army. I honestly believe that the current rating is incredibly wrong, regardless if it is seen as anti-Russian propaganda, highlighting the wrongs committed by the Russian army and bureaucracy isn't a valid argument to lower the rating of this movie at all. If you are reading this, definitely watch it. It is amazing.
Shameless propaganda
harryplinkett142 December 2018
I wouldn't be surprised if the money for this project came from a western secret service. There are a bunch of production companies listed as being behind this project, some from France, and at least one from Georgia. The film was also made in Georgia, and has a Georgian director. Need I even say more? What interest could Georgians possibly have in the war in Chechnya, other than as an excuse to present Russians in a way that makes Attila the Hun look like a Red Cross volunteer? I don't mind bias in films, and most war films are biased one way or another. But this film was designed from the start as totally dishonest, shameless attack on Russia, without any artistic or other ambition beyond and above smearing Russia. I have seen lots of propaganda films in my life, but this is on a level that betrays a kind of mentality that I find absolutely baffling. It simply boggles the mind that someone could make something so revolting and idiotic.
Disregard the 1-star ratings by the politically motivated Russians
vinkentas24 January 2022
So sad to see that the evaluation of this beautiful movie is negatively affected by so many 1-star evaluations from nationalistic Russians who can't stand seeing the truth about war.
The war in Czechia has been so devastating. So much death and cruelty. And all the war crimes are very well documented by international organisations so there's zero actual propaganda in this movie.
The movie is touching. And It's beautifully shot and directed.
The war in Czechia has been so devastating. So much death and cruelty. And all the war crimes are very well documented by international organisations so there's zero actual propaganda in this movie.
The movie is touching. And It's beautifully shot and directed.
Bad propaganda
sreda_nevreme5 April 2017
What a bad propaganda against Russia!!! I can't believe how some directors have courage to do such a nasty thing like this. I know that a lot of money is in game, but money is expendable, and soul last forever! So pathetic and typical for EU! And now when Eu have problems with migrants, showing they real face how much people of EU like Muslims... Did directors like this one, search any theme before they make a movie?
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