Izobrazhaya zhertvu (2006) User Reviews

One of the best films of the 2000s in Russia

[eva3si0n · 7/10 · 12 October 2020]

One of the best films of the 2000s in Russia. And although the film has a torn plot, and in fact one interesting character played by Vitaly Khaev. One of the most interesting moments of films is his monologue. And the ending of the film surprises and makes you think. A good film with meaning, which is so small in Russian cinema.

Really Something

[Cj_Jeka-1 · 9/10 · 21 July 2006]

Very interesting point of view from Kirill Serebrennikov to the theater play of Presnyakov brothers. This picture is definitely above the average movie that made in Russia. Casting is great, every Actor/Actress giving perfect performance. Young and talented Yuriy Chursin playing comic role in very serious way. Movie full of humor and hallucinate animate (black and white) kinda twisted moments that will give to younger audience lots of positive energy. Couple of scenes Monologues actually are unforgettable, Captan in the Japanise restaurant and scene in the swimming pool you'll love it. i'll have to add that movie contains very strong language and some male nudity. Very good cinematography (my opinion) concept is not very clear what makes the whole movie brilliant. This movie you can see not once. I recommend to watch it in a group. It is movie for a genre, because I'm in this genre it is fit for me.

So bottom line if you young have scenes of humor and not afraid of unknown actors (accept of Lia Ahidjakova) this is movie for you.

Best Post-Soviet movie released so far

[bu-4 · 10/10 · 22 August 2006]

Izobrazhaya Zhertvu (Imitating a victim) is something Russian cinema lacked for many years already: a movie about life and people's way of living, which would be exactly truthful and give a sound explanation of why we are now what we are. The general plot is the Hamlet's story told in the modern Russian circumstances, which enables Serebrennikov and Presnyakovy bros. to show a tragedy of a man and his family as an illustration to the passionate monologues about the nation's past and present. Adding some hilarious and intelligent jokes, the creators give us a wonderful piece of tragicomedy, supported by a nearly perfect cast with Chursin acting brilliantly and the support (including the Soviet star Akhedzhakova) doing their job just as well. If not for weak promotion, this movie would have blown Russia away. Unfortunately, it seems that Imitating a victim will become the most overlooked Russian masterpiece ever.

Note that the movie would be of doubtful use for non-Russians, though such a viewer may certainly expand his/her understanding of Russian modern culture and life as well as get some deep aesthetic pleasure.

A Stark & Absurd Portrayal of Human Nature!

[samxxxul · 9/10 · 10 May 2020]

This is a truly unique movie, tragic, ironic, and hilarious, a noir remake of Shakespeare's Hamlet. The story delves into the tragicomic life of Valya, a loner with a rather special job, he plays the role of the victim in the reconstructions of the murders made by the police. On the scene of the murder, Valya steps into the part of the victim shortly before their death, sometimes risking his own life. When he is home, he gets bombarded with lectures from his mother to settle down in life, also having nightmares and dreams of his father's murder in a very absurd way.

Beyond the moments of absurdness, "Playing the Victim" is a hard- hitting social commentary part psychological drama with minimalistic cinematography. The leading performances are tremendous, worthy to mention the final monologue in the Japanese restaurant. The ending of the film is unsettling role reversal, as Valya veers from falsely charming to downright sinister.

Kirill Serebrennikov's "Playing the victim' is visually great, Hamlet mixed with funnier version of Joseph Losey's "The Servant", it's almost artistic at times, with its complexity of certain shots which will not be registered in the first viewing, simply because you're wrapped up too much into its story and Valya's world.

To Be or Not to Be

[JustApt · 9/10 · 27 May 2008]

Playing the Victim is much more than just modern remake of Hamlet turning Shakespearean classic drama into a black comedy. Young man Valya (Hamlet} works playing victims in reconstructions of crimes on murder sites. These reconstructions are in themselves absurdist comedies of highest order. One night Russian Hamlet Valya sees his father's ghost, or probably it was just a dream, who shares with Valya his suspicions that he was poisoned by his brother. After this all the hell breaks loose: one day reconstructing murder in Japanese restaurant, where a murderer had shot his school friend for telling some innocent joke, chief detective gives a great harangue that nation should play a good football then there will be an order in the country and there will be no crime. Valya returns home and at the family feast poisons his uncle, mother and his future bride Olya (this movie Ophelia) with sushi garnished with poisonous fish ordered in Japanese restaurant. And movie ends in reconstruction of Valya's crime by the other victim imitators.

And who are you portraying?

[Zhorzhik-Morzhik · 10/10 · 8 March 2020]

"Playing the victim" by Kirill Serebrennikov - the best Russian comedy 00s. The story of a student who works part time in the police, portraying the victims of various crimes. Against the background of all the other characters in the film, including police officers, and murderers, and even their victims, the student's character remains the most worthy, normal, and at the same time, not quite fit into this crazy world around. A separate respect for the outstanding actress Leah Akhedzhakova, who played a small role in the film.

Easily my favorite Russian film of all time.

[littlehumanoid · 10/10 · 22 November 2022]

It's a beautiful depiction of Russia in the early 00s. It's funny and stupid at times, and the main character is an a-hole, but you end up sympathizing with him, because most of us were a lot like him in our formative years- he reminds me on Shinji Ikari with that. It makes you think, makes you care about the background characters, it works off the ever living conflict of fathers and sons that's so prevalent in Russian art. The scenes are interesting, captivating even for a viewer with a short attention span. Unlike any other work of Serebrennikov- this is probably him at his most genuine and raw.