An Optimistic Tragedy

A homophobic, anti-Ukrainian, Muscovian paternalistic slog. A brave Muscovian commissar teaches the devious, treacherous homo anarchist Ukrainians how to be good. They are animalistic, mob-like, they roar like animals when they die, they are granny killing rapists. The film offers an amazing intro, some beautiful scenes and Margarita Volodina is a compelling actress, but the film is stilted, needlessly slow and outright racist. The character development is inane. Ham-fisted unsubtle propaganda.