The rights to films directed by Alexei Balabanov “Brother” and “Brother-2” were bought by the streaming service Netflix. Access to their viewing is open from June 1. Why do these films not lose their relevance today, two decades after their release?
The Netflix translators named the films respectively “Brother” and “Brother/2. On The Way Home” (“Brother” and “Brother-2. The Way Home”). But politically incorrect phrases were treated differently. So, the famous explanation of Danila was translated without censorship: “Yes, that’s how they taught me at school. The Chinese live in China, the Germans in Germany, the Jews in Israel, the Negroes in Africa.” But some other points still softened. Therefore, many will enjoy watching the film with English subtitles.
The first episode of “Brother” was filmed in 1997. Danila Bagrov in 2020, the Russians called the “most dear” movie hero. Despite the fact that hundreds of films have been shot in Russia over the past two decades, it is this hero, whose lines are short and concise, whose decisions and ideas are absolutely simple, that seems familiar to us.
Why do we, Bagrov’s peers, like him so much, and what in his image is close to those who were just born in the early XNUMXs, when the tape was released?
Films with Sergei Bodrov and Viktor Sukhorukov are called the “mirror of the era” of the nineties. Colorful characters, a frank look at the realities of post-Soviet life … Those who, like Danila Bagrov, were born in the seventies or early eighties, well remember the “raspberry jackets” and gang wars, the “First Chechen” and the rise of a wave of nationalism, Russian rock and us Western business.
But if “Brother” and “Brother-2” are both a product and a reflection of their era, then the protagonist of the films is timeless.
This is the fabulous Ivanushka the Fool, capable of both saddling the Gray Wolf and coping with enemies. A noble robber, a rescuer (if not a rescuer), ready to help. Brother-protector, who will appear at the right time and protect from offenders. The one who is needed and will be needed, while somewhere else “ours are being beaten.” That is, always.
The hero of Sergei Bodrov seemed to know without a doubt what to rely on when deciding which side to be on.
“Tell me, American, what is the strength? Is it in money? So my brother says that in money. You have a lot of money, so what? I think that the power is in the truth: whoever has the truth is stronger!” – the words of Danila Bagrov have become a manifesto for many. In the nineties, the Soviet ideology was destroyed, and a new one was not formed. And the hero of Sergei Bodrov seemed to know without a doubt what to rely on when deciding which side to be on.
Who would have thought that 24 years later the story about the confrontation between two powers and two mentalities (“Soon all your America will be kirdyk”), as well as the conflict with the neighboring, once fraternal people, would be so relevant? It seems that the theme of patriotism raised by Balabanov has paradoxically been developed in modern historical reality.
For some, the next movie viewing will be an evening of nostalgia. Someone will once again experience a sense of satisfaction from the fact that justice, albeit at a high price, has been restored and “ours have won.” But, probably, for many, a meeting with the hero of Sergei Bodrov is an almost personal event. This folk hero was created in such a way that he is a brother to almost everyone in some way.