One night, Frenchman Pierre Froment, living in Moscow, attends his daughter's circus performance. He excuses himself for a moment to go to his car. As he sits in the driver's seat, he is surprised by an intruder with an interesting proposition. The messenger, Sergei Gregoriev, chooses the innocent looking Pierre because he had served a tour of duty in France. Sergei has fond memories of his time there.
It is the beginning of the 1980s and Breznev is in control. Things have gotten so bad in the country, Sergei believes something is needed to bring change into his land. For that, he proposes an exchange of secret documents that Pierre will deliver to France to be passed on to the Americans. His reasoning is that by doing that something will result as the Soviets enemies will be outsmarted.
France had just elected Francois Mitterand, a socialist to the highest office. He had all intentions of naming communists to the cabinet, something the Americans dreaded. As Mitterand is informed of Pierre's mission, he decides to cooperate with the United Nations. In doing so, he gets to discuss what is happening with Ronald Reagan himself, who is at first reluctant, until he realizes what a good thing has fallen in his lap.
Sergei must do all kinds of secret maneuvers in order to copy the material for Pierre. He risks being exposed as a traitor with all the consequences that go with whatever punishment he gets. His situation at home is not exactly a happy one. He lives with his wife and a son that is going to the university, but who secretly loves everything Western, as most young people from his generation. In addition, he has his own secret life, a sordid affair with Natasha. His sacrifice for wanting to change the system will come to haunt his own life.
Directed by Christian Carion, who gave us the wonderful "Joyeux Noel", the director keeps his excellent work taking thorny issues such as the one at heart in this film. The film surprises because it puts into context an unknown page of history as it celebrates the obscure protagonists that were instrumentals in what was the end of a totalitarian regime. The screenplay is based on a book written by Serguei Kostine with an adaptation by the director and Eric Reynaud.
The film is totally dominated by Emir Kusturica, who is a notable director himself. His Sergei Gregoriev is one of the most compelling characters in recent memory. This was a selfish man that saw a nation in despair because of a rotten system. Taking things into his own hands, he foresaw what would become as a result of his actions. Guillaume Canet, also a film director who gave us the wonderful "Tell No One", makes an impression as Pierre Froment. The large international cast include some good actors. Fred Ward, Willem Dafoe, Philippe Magnan, the marvelous Nils Arestrup, Alexandra Maria Lara, among the supporting cast add to our enjoyment.
The cinematography by Walther Van Den Ende as well as Clint Mansell's music score enhance the film. Director Christian Carion is a man to watch.
It is the beginning of the 1980s and Breznev is in control. Things have gotten so bad in the country, Sergei believes something is needed to bring change into his land. For that, he proposes an exchange of secret documents that Pierre will deliver to France to be passed on to the Americans. His reasoning is that by doing that something will result as the Soviets enemies will be outsmarted.
France had just elected Francois Mitterand, a socialist to the highest office. He had all intentions of naming communists to the cabinet, something the Americans dreaded. As Mitterand is informed of Pierre's mission, he decides to cooperate with the United Nations. In doing so, he gets to discuss what is happening with Ronald Reagan himself, who is at first reluctant, until he realizes what a good thing has fallen in his lap.
Sergei must do all kinds of secret maneuvers in order to copy the material for Pierre. He risks being exposed as a traitor with all the consequences that go with whatever punishment he gets. His situation at home is not exactly a happy one. He lives with his wife and a son that is going to the university, but who secretly loves everything Western, as most young people from his generation. In addition, he has his own secret life, a sordid affair with Natasha. His sacrifice for wanting to change the system will come to haunt his own life.
Directed by Christian Carion, who gave us the wonderful "Joyeux Noel", the director keeps his excellent work taking thorny issues such as the one at heart in this film. The film surprises because it puts into context an unknown page of history as it celebrates the obscure protagonists that were instrumentals in what was the end of a totalitarian regime. The screenplay is based on a book written by Serguei Kostine with an adaptation by the director and Eric Reynaud.
The film is totally dominated by Emir Kusturica, who is a notable director himself. His Sergei Gregoriev is one of the most compelling characters in recent memory. This was a selfish man that saw a nation in despair because of a rotten system. Taking things into his own hands, he foresaw what would become as a result of his actions. Guillaume Canet, also a film director who gave us the wonderful "Tell No One", makes an impression as Pierre Froment. The large international cast include some good actors. Fred Ward, Willem Dafoe, Philippe Magnan, the marvelous Nils Arestrup, Alexandra Maria Lara, among the supporting cast add to our enjoyment.
The cinematography by Walther Van Den Ende as well as Clint Mansell's music score enhance the film. Director Christian Carion is a man to watch.