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Reviews
Evilenko (2003)
A dumbed down story loosely based on a real case
I was very disappointed after watching this picture. They took a historic case and made a dumbed down, stupid and at times insulting story.
On several occasions it tries to shock the audience by the killer being a communist, as if that would be worse than being a serial killer. Remember this is played out in the soviet state, being a communist was a very good thing and even required. The way the story is told is not at all fitting to the surroundings.
Not worth watching, go see Citizen X instead.
Citizen X (1995)
Excellent story about a historic case
This is one of my all time favourite pictures. It tells several stories. First about the case of "The butcher of Rostov" who was one of the worst serial killers in the history of the world. Second about the complete and utter hopelessness of the soviet system and bureaucracy, and politicians' convenient ignorance. Third about a man with full intentions to do his job the best way he can, against the system, and against his superiors who should be aiding him but are instead much more concerned about trivialising and keeping the whole thing quiet.
The scenes where Burakov walks by the placard of Lenin shows the passage of time, but also that not much is changing. Again depicting the hopelessness of his situation. The film is dark, depressing, serious, and you really feel for Burakov. You end it with a sigh of relief, satisfied that the killer is finally dealt with although his story is equally depressing. He's seen as a loser by his wife, his peers, his superiors, and himself most likely. The only time he succeeds with anything is when he kills.
If you have the slightest interest in criminal or soviet history this picture is for you.