The Russian Job

Avtovaz Car, the manufacturer of Lada and other brands, is one of the biggest state companies in Russia, not to mention one of the biggest car manufacturing plants in the world. The firm is a great microcosm for contemporary Russian society, and this is exactly how we get to know it in this witty satire, which has Bo Andersson, the new Swedish manager, in the leading role. Everything in and around the factory is reminiscent of the long-gone glory days of communism: the unfathomably large complex with its countless buildings; the tens of thousands of employees, many of whom have very vague job descriptions; the ice bath club; the unused riverboat and the vulgar display of riches in the boss’s house. The big question is whether Andersson can overcome this culture of corruption. Will this ambitious outsider, with all his experience in 18 Russian cities, be able to tame Avtovaz? At least he has a sharp understanding of the paradox facing this country: "Sometimes we say that in Russia people would like to have a revolution, but nothing should change."