Russia: Prisoner of the Mountians

Prisoner of the Mountains is a film about conflicting forces: old vs. young, brutality vs. kindness, and love vs. hate; all universal themes and forces.



Vanya

The primary personalities in the film are an older army vet (Sasha) and a young naïve (Vanya) “boot.” Though Sasha is more experienced with the realities of war, it is actually Vanya who survives the ordeal. In fact, I think it is Vanya’s idealism and inexperience that saves him. He tries to save Kasan from falling over the cliff—but the experienced and wily Sasha eventully pushes him off. He does not kill the armed shepherd for his gun—a hardened Sasha does. When freed by Dina from his shackles and prison, Vanya does not flee. It is by his own mercies that his life is eventually spared.

Dina

We see evidence of brutality all through the film: men held as prisoners with livestock, escaped prisoners shot, not to mention the opening scene: a Chechnyan ambush that culminates in the death of an entire Russian platoon, save Vanya and Sasha. But we also see the kindness through Dina, who speaks to the prisoners with softness and tenderness. Vanya makes a gift for Dina and repairs a villager’s timepiece.

Causacus Mountains

Most of all we see love and hate. Dina, Abdul’s daughter, has obviously fallen in love with Vanya. Yet, she knows he must die because he is the enemy. She is resigned to the longstanding hatred for  Russians and Vayna’s inevitable execution yet she loves Vanya anyway—despite his nationality and fate. He loves her, too, despite the fact that it is Dina’s father who holds him prisoner. Vanya offers to marry Dina.  In the end, she enables his escape, which is a betrayal of both her people and her father.  Sadly, as Vanya makes his escape through the Caucasus Mountains, he sees his own army fly in to strafe his heretofore captors. Vanya is appalled and sickened to realize that his captors, men and women he has lived with and grown to love, will be annihilated by his own race.

Abdul

Overall, I loved the movie. I’m glad Abdul didn’t kill Vanya. Though Abdul probably orchestrated the ambush, and later held Vanya and Sasha prisoner, we still sympathize with him. Abdul’s son is being held in a Russian prison. Abdul’s actions are cruel and desperate and  yet almost…noble? Who can blame Abdul? And despite Abdul’s cold and compassionless demeanor, we hope for his son’s return. We fear and empathize with Abdul.