Review of Leviathan (2014) by Pavel M — 02 May 2015

Leviathan. I had to think really hard and google to find the reference: Biblical monster and Thomas Hobbes and his social contract with an absolute sovereign. Yes. The film has both those and gorgeous, wild and breathtaking Barents Sea scenery. It also has a LOT of vodka in the tundra, corrupt officials, mobsters, greedy priests, pretentious important people and all kinds of scheming with various desperate destinies.

The film starts by telling us that it was partly financed by Russian ministry of culture. By the end of it one wonders how on earth they would be so honest and forthcoming in their funding plus putting the film up as Russian candidate for Oscars when it does nothing positive to Russia. It had won a lot of prices in the west but... it was banned in its original form in Russia! Go figure! Not surprising in the least. Also one could make a note about finnish drinking habits... and their origin....