The Search (2014) Reviews

• The movie about the forgotten people

  stigal-12015-08-10

  I'm Chechen and I've seen the war in my country. This story is only a simple story from a hundred of thousands other stories of Russian- Chechen wars. As someone that have seen the war, it was very difficult for me to watch this movie, I'm a man and I was watching it with the tears in my eyes, it has reminded me all the horrible dark nights in my country. I'm honestly thankful to Mr. Michel Hazanavicius. It's very obvious that he did not make this movie for money and success but because he thought that someone has to tell the truth. You will see many people saying that this movie has a political goals, anti-Russia propaganda etc and etc, however truth is truth neither you like it or not. Those are mainly people who did not suffer even a 1% of pain that Chechen people did. at least 35% of Chechens were killed in last two wars, about 40.000 of them were children. They burned people alive, just simple example, google "Samashki massacre" and thats from the war in 1994. The Search is about the second war 1999 which was much worst than the previous war. The history of Chechnya and Russia is horrible, there been so many wars in last 400 years, the history is indeed horrible. This movie shows a very little percent of what was really happening in Chechnya, however it tells the truth, It's very disappointing that now days not many people really wants to hear the truth, not much people do really care and that's what movie tells as well. The genocide of Jewish people, the genocide of Chechen and all the other people genocides, those are not only problem of certain people/nation but the problem and the issue of the world and all the people. This is a very honest and based on a true stories movie, this isn't a comedy and action for fun, this is a movie that made with heart for the people that still care. --- Dear Michel Hazanavicius, Thank you very much for this movie from all the Chechen people around the world, one day in Independent Chechen Republic you will be our most welcomed guest. We believe in it.

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• A political and emotional education

  bnsw192017-12-03

  An outstanding, intelligent film with a heart - two films, actually, that run concurrently. The first: a realistic, near-documentary look at the Russian army and, specifically, one conscript; it's savage, brutal and makes one despair. The second: a heart-breaking and -warming story of a 9-year old boy and his teenage sister and baby brother who become estranged when their parents are murdered by Russian soldiers. The point at which these two stories touch is shocking and brilliant.

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• What movies are all about!

  rps-22015-09-18

  This is one of the finest films I've ever seen (and there are over 2000 titles on my IMDb list.) It is a gutsy, grim, graphic story with some really horrible characters and some outstandingly good ones. Most amazing is the performance of young Abdul Khalim Mamutsiev. There is very little about him in the biography section but if this young boy (he's 9 in the movie) is this great now, he will be another Olivier by the time he's 20! This film captures the grim reality of the Chechan war, the mindless and corrupt brutality of the Russian army both within and outside its ranks and the bleak, blood soaked reality of the country. The entire film is shot in stark, cold colours with powerful effects and staging. I forget some films. It will be impossible to forget this one!

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• Brutal and honest movie

  haosstoposto2014-08-19

  I will not elaborate movie plot in detail, it is a remake of the award winning movie of the same name from 1948, and of course it is a similar story. But I must say that it is a important movie about a forgotten conflict in Chechnya. The reception of the movie was poor in EU and it is clear why. The Director shows the reality of European and Russian politics, the europeans are indifferent to the problems of small oppressed nations in the former SSSR, and reluctant to do anything against the Russian terror. I was surprised to see an European movie which clearly takes sides with the victim and does not try to detach from the conflict, something which has always been popular among the political correct movie-makers, quoting „both sides are equally guilty". And we see a surprising accurate depiction of the training in the Russian army, a traditionally brutal thing. All in all, a must see movie. The truth must be told and the crimes must not be forgotten.

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• Incredibly moving anti war film based on the Second Russian - Chechen War

  t-dooley-69-3869162016-03-23

  This film is set during the Second Russo Chechen War and deals, essentially, with one families fate. The film opens with Russian soldiers filming the aftermath of an 'anti-terrorist operation' – which is essentially destroying a Chechen village and executing civilians. One of the families's affected have two boys and Hadji escapes with his baby brother. After an arduous journey his path crosses that of Carole (Berenice Bejo) who works for an NGO. Her initial reticence is soon replaced by affection as she tries to care for the young boy who has been so traumatised that he has stopped speaking. We also get the story of the common Russian soldier as shown through the experiences of Kolia (Maksim Emelyanov) and the dehumanising way they are made to conform. What follows is a tragic, moving and plaintive anti-war film. The futility and pointlessness of conflict is shown in such a naked way as to be almost surreal. The film goes almost black and white in places as if war drains the colour from life – which for many it must surely do. The performances are amazing and I have to admit I was moved to tears on more than one occasion. Written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius who also directed 'The Artist' – he has managed to capture the feeling of fear, desperation and hope all at the same time and make a two hour film that seems to slip past in mere minutes. One of the more praiseworthy films I have seen for a while and indeed worthy of all the plaudits and more.

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