I have held off from reviewing this film and my anger at the situation in Russia towards LGBTQ people has somehow prevented me. I believe that this film was made outside of Russia with brave Russian actors and with that belief I did not want to draw attention to this self explanatory fact. How could it be made there or even seen there given the tyranny that is happening in Russia ? It is the Russian film that dare not speak its name, and as much as I love the classics of Russian cinema I know fully well it will never join them. Most people in Russia, and I am not talking about Moscow or Petersburg, but further afield in places like Ufa and Cheboksary where American popcorn pap are the major diet, have never seen a Sokurov, Tarkovsky or Paradjanov film, never mind this. They have never heard of this great film.
No spoilers, but just to say watch this and be very afraid. This will be Poland and Hungary if we are not vigilant. There too there will be death hunts in dark forests, and your friend will be your enemy. But I beg anyone who has seen this film available certainly on DVD in the UK to force it on friends, relatives and neighbours. It is not a Gay film by any stretch of the imagination, so forget your prejudice kind straight readers. This is about the heart of darkness itself, and what it is to know that loving openly means to die.
