In the summer of 2013, on large screens, viewers could see the work of director Yuri Bykov - the film "Major". The picture received mixed reviews, but the noise around it rose. The film has received numerous awards in Russia and abroad.
Story line
Events unfold in a small provincial town. Early in the morning, Sergei Sobolev, a character played by Denis Shvedov, wakes up from a phone call. He is a police major. From the conversation it becomes clear that the pregnant wife of the major should soon give birth.
Sobolev breaks out of the house and rushes on his BMW to the hospital. Not considering it necessary to follow the rules of the road and high-speed mode, he knocks a child to death. This all happens right in front of the unfortunate mother, whose role was played perfectly by Irina Nizina.
In order to avoid punishment, Sobolev closes the desperate mother of the child in the car. Along with this, he begins to call somewhere. Talking about what happened to his colleague Korshunov, whose role is played by the director Yuri Bykov himself, the major remains to wait for help.
At this time, the truck stops and the driver offers his assistance to an accident. But Sobolev refuses.
Soon, his fellow friends arrive and begin to cover his tracks. The traffic police officer gives the mother of the affected child cognac under the guise of a sedative. After that, a medical examination confirms that she was intoxicated and could herself overlook her son.
As a result, Korshunov threatens to force the woman to sign a protocol in which she acquits Major Sobolev.
But the dissatisfied father of the child seeks justice and comes to the police station with a gun, demanding to give him the culprit in the death of his son. There, he accidentally kills one of the employees.
Then begins the whole nightmare, which entails a huge number of innocent victims.
Sobolev realizes his guilt and is trying to save the mother of the deceased child, who is going to kill Korshunov.
At the end of the film, the major himself kills a woman with a shot in the back of the head after Korshunov’s threats to kill his family.
After this, Sobolev catches a ride, the same truck that the audience already saw at the beginning of the film, and goes to the hospital to his wife.
Actors and roles
In addition to the excellent work of the director, cameraman and touching story, which formed the basis of the plot, there are many more advantages to this picture. "Major" is a film in which the actors did an excellent job and perfectly conveyed the main idea.
The role of the central character was played by Denis Shvedov.
He already had experience working with director Yuri Bykov in the films "Live" and "Collectors." For his work in this film, he was awarded the prize for best actor at the international festival in Vladivostok. It turned out to be a very complex character: Sobolev seems to want to fix everything, but where to fight the system, and at the same time he is responsible for all the horror that unfolds in the film.
Another award for a role in this film was received by Irina Nizina.
She played here the unfortunate mother of the deceased boy. Despite everything that hit the woman, Irina Gutorova, she looks dignified and wisely speaks out in a conversation with Sobolev.
The director himself is also awarded. Here he plays Pavel Korshunov, a colleague of Sobolev. It is with his hands that evil is accomplished.
Also involved are celebrities in the film "Major." The film (actors Boris Nevzorov, Dmitry Kulichkov, Pavel Basov and Kirill Polukhin also played in it) seems more lively with their participation.
Genre crime drama
In "Major" dramatic, criminal and psychological motives are pronounced. It is difficult to determine the genre unequivocally, because this is a psychological thriller, and social drama, and crime.
The dramatic genre in art replaced the tragedy in ancient times. Its main features are the description of the ordinary life of heroes. And crime intervenes in this routine. Namely, the hero himself, who violated the law, and all the specific circumstances of his life, motives, inner experiences, attempts to justify himself.
Therefore, we can confidently talk about criminal drama. Today, this species is very common in modern art. Especially in author's cinema. As for the director’s films, he actively applies it in many works, starting with “The Chief” and ending with the new series “Method”.
History of creation
The film "Major", reviews of which in Russia and abroad were mixed, was inspired by the director of the social situation in the country in 2009-2010. In general, the question of the relationship of a person with power is always relevant.
The image of the main character arose in the director’s head after a sensational incident in a Moscow supermarket. Then police major Denis Yevsyukov shot several random buyers.
Positive opinion
Oddly enough, film critics mostly appreciate the film "Major". Reviews are mostly laudatory. After all, this is really a true movie without special effects. The director reveals the value system of the rule of law. Nothing can be corrected and proved, much less backtracked. That is why there are so many victims, and the film is tough enough for the viewer to deeply feel hopelessness.
Negative opinion
In addition to understanding, also the film "Major" received negative reviews. Many accuse Bykov of "chernukha", the lack of a sense of humor and necessary for a high-quality picture of cynicism.
In addition, they censured camera work, a crumpled plot and false information. Making an accident, knocking out testimonies from the boy’s parents, lack of witnesses and a temporary detention center where the policeman is staying with an ordinary detainee - all this happens in real life and looks different.
Other work of the director
Yuri Bykov began his career as a director with the short film "Head". The painting received an award at the Kinotavr. According to the plot, two robbers encroach on the house of the FSB captain and in the end they themselves become victims of murder.
Then there were works on the painting "Live" and "Collectors". The first of them again caused a resonance in the world of cinema. Again a very cruel plot and murder at the end. In 2013, the movie "Major" was released. Reviews of all the paintings were stormy and emotional. The common thing in them is that the characters, under the yoke of circumstances, decide to kill.
Last year, the director made another film - "The Fool." It traces the same hopelessness of Russian society. When one person tries to fight against all and dies, as this is pointless in the modern world. And they will constantly memorize phrases in the spirit: "All people are wolves" or "The world cannot be remade."
At the end of October 2015, a new series, Method, is released - another heavy, psychological thriller. But here the main character is a maniac, and a new trend appears in the work of the director.
In addition, by 2016 a picture is being prepared about the space of the USSR period - "Time of the First".
Films of Yuri Bykov, one way or another, have the same implication. The director, apparently, cares about the social situation in the country, and he condemns it in every way.
Awards and nominations
The picture was a great success in Russia and abroad. She was awarded the following awards:
- At the International Festival in Shanghai - the award for the best film.
- Nomination for the best film in the "Kinotavr" 2013.
- In France, the picture was awarded the prize "New Genre".
- Award for the best current youth story in Zelenograd.
- In Germany, directorial work was celebrated at the Cotobus festival.
- Awarded for the best cinematography Kirill Klepanov at the twenty-second film festival in St. Petersburg.
- Prizes for best roles were given to Denis Shvedov, Irina Nizina, Ilya Isaev.
- Yuri Bykov himself was twice awarded the prize for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, including the Nika Prize.
In the film "Major" touched upon the sore problem of society and the relationship of power with ordinary people. Even if there is some kind of anguish, bumps and shortcomings, the film nevertheless makes you think. Impression is like after a good book with deep meaning. And this is commendable.