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Komrades & Birch

Country: Russia | Canada, Language: Russian | English, 94 mins

Original Title

Kameraden
  • Director: Steve Kokker

CGiii Comment

Komrades:

Take a great subject and give it to a self-indulgent wanker and this is what you get - Kokker is that wanker - he has the name for it.

His self-penned narrative is lacking in insight and information.

The camera work is shambolic - amateur and irrelevant for the most part.

It looks as if it was filmed on a cell phone - and, if it was - then, it's no excuse for subjecting us to this lack of professionalism.

The film is intercut with archive footage - too much - due to the lack of Kokker's imagination and skill.

There is also something rather suspicious about the whole thing - it would be too easy to question the integrity of the whole film simply down to Kokker's questions:

Are you the kind of guy who cares if his hair is just right?

WHAT A RIDICULOUS QUESTION to ask a naval cadet.

If the subject of the film really knew the intent of the film-maker they would not have been so obliging.

This is horrific documentary-making, Kokker has done nothing more - let this trend continue. INSIPID and not wholly genuine.

Watch 100 Days Before the Command and Potemkin - for true film-making talent.


Birch

The boy is beautiful.

Kokker is vile.

A truly repugnant form of grooming.


No trailer...

The(ir) Blurb...

Interviews with naval and military cadets in Russia explores such topics as male-bonding, hazing, patriotism, brotherhood and alcohol abuse.