Komrades & Birch
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.