Komrades (2004)
Made by a Canadian documentarian,
Steve Kokker, "Komrades" contains astounding footage
of the modern Russian army and navy. It's intimate
look of the lives of young Russian men, forced by
the state to serve in the military is both homoerotic
and disturbing. The issue of the brotherhood between
the closely confined men is interestingly scrutinized
here and ultimately turn into discussions of homosexuality
ranging from true love between men to hazing rituals
that end in death. One cannot help but be moved several
times during the film.
These are beautiful young men that
Kokker spotlights. He never lenses anyone who isn't
attractive and young and so often the film seems like
a documentary put together by Bel Ami or some other
Eastern European gay porn outlet. And if you have
a uniform fetish, WOW! This film will have you hard
as a rock within seconds. But Kokker is a filmmaker
who knows what looks good on camera as well as what
makes compelling viewing. His subjects maybe the most
handsome young men he could find, but they are also
open, vibrant and talkative. He gets poignant and
emotional dialogue from many of them giving us an
insight into the mindset of the young Russian cadets
that is utterly engrossing. Their discussion on comradery,
patriotism, drinking, male bonding, hugging, homosexuality,
and hazing will always open your eyes and never bore
you.
Kokker is a filmmaker first and
foremost, so he also uses stock footage and clips
from B&W Russian movies of the past to accentuate
his points and provide background and theme to his
film. Often these clips are used for humorous effect
as well.
If there is any problem it is that
Kokker narrates here and includes some personal observations
and background about himself without ever really telling
us who he is or how he got such intimate footage.
Kokker can be heard asking the cadets questions and
he seems fluent in Russian, but we never learn what
his background is or why he is in Russia in the first
place. Furthermore, although it is fairly obvious
that Kokker is gay (his choice of subject matter and
a slight lilt in his voice give him away), we never
learn what his relationships with the subjects he
interviews here truly is. At least two young men are
seen laying naked in a bed when they are on camera
leading one to believe that they are "tricks" of Kokker's
but one can never be sure.
Still, "Komrades" is fascinating
material. Even with the sound down, theses boys so
beautiful they look like Smiths' album covers come
to life would be interesting to watch. But ultimately
it is what they tells us about their lives, seemingly
with no secret left hidden, that makes us unable to
look away.
Notes:
In Russian with subtitles and some
English. The narration is in English as well.
Most of the songs here are in Russian
as well, many of them in film clips, however "What
Do You Do with a Drunken Sailor" is sung in English
and used to homoerotic comic effect.
The film has played many gay and
lesbian film festivals since September, 2003.
Viewed
at Agliff in September 2004.
