Rethinking the post- Soviet Russian hero: Alexei Balabanov's films

Aleksei Balabanov (b in Sverdlovsk) Educated as translator (1981) Educated as translator (1981) Served in the Army in Took part in the Afgan war Served in the Army in Took part in the Afgan war Graduated from the High Courses for Scriptwriters and Film Directors (1990) Graduated from the High Courses for Scriptwriters and Film Directors (1990) Directed several controversial but popular films Directed several controversial but popular films

Director of disquieting films Director of disquieting films

Selected controversial but popular films by Balabanov: - Brother (Брат) (1997) - Of Freaks and Men (1998) - Brother-2 (Брат-2) (2000) - War (2002) - Zhmurki (2005) - I Feel No Pain (2006) - Cargo 200 (Груз 200) (2007) - Morphine (2008)

Brother (1997, drama/action) Zhmurki (2005, comedy) Both deal with the theme of killers

Of Freaks and Men (1998) Theme: pornography in the 1900s; Sepia colours imitate early photographs

Morphine (2008) (based on stories by Mikhail Bulgakov)

Sergei Bodrov Jr. ( ), “hero of our time” Son of a film director Son of a film director PhD in Art History PhD in Art History Iconic actor of late 1990s, star of Balabanov’s films Iconic actor of late 1990s, star of Balabanov’s films Talk show host Talk show host Film director Film director Died Sept. 20, 2002: buried by a glacier in the Caucasus, along with the whole crew, while directing a film. Died Sept. 20, 2002: buried by a glacier in the Caucasus, along with the whole crew, while directing a film.

Sergei Bodrov’s selected filmography: Actor: Prisoner of the Caucasus (1996) Prisoner of the Caucasus (1996) (dir. Sergei Bodrov, snr) (dir. Sergei Bodrov, snr) Brother (1997) Brother (1997) (dir. Aleksei Balabanov) (dir. Aleksei Balabanov) Est-Ouest (1999) Est-Ouest (1999) (dir. Régis Wargnier) (dir. Régis Wargnier) Brother II (2000) Brother II (2000) (dir. Aleksei Balabanov) (dir. Aleksei Balabanov) War (2002) War (2002) Other: Sisters (2001) Sisters (2001)Director Morphine (2008) Morphine (2008) (dir. Aleksei Balabanov) Scriptwriter

Sergei Bodrov’s character Danila Bagrov: the new / old Russian hero, Brother Brother Common man: ex-soldier, orphan, poor mother, friends with bums and street girls. Common man: ex-soldier, orphan, poor mother, friends with bums and street girls. Restores justice, stands up for the wronged, fights evil “others” (Chechens, black pimps in Chicago, Ukrainian mafia). Restores justice, stands up for the wronged, fights evil “others” (Chechens, black pimps in Chicago, Ukrainian mafia). “Ivan the fool” of Russian folktales– chains of fortunate chances, obstacles overcome. “Ivan the fool” of Russian folktales– chains of fortunate chances, obstacles overcome. Cyber folk tale, like computer game – kills opponents to get to bag of money; gets help from unexpected quarters (allies include the long-distance truck driver). Random problems quickly solved. Cyber folk tale, like computer game – kills opponents to get to bag of money; gets help from unexpected quarters (allies include the long-distance truck driver). Random problems quickly solved.

Brothers (Brother, 1997)

Sergei Bodrov in Brat (1997) Dmitri Diuzhev in I Feel No Pain (2006)