Prisoners of the Caucasus

Much of the material generated by war reporters does not ever make it into newscasts or current affairs programmes. But, in this necessary documentary about the Russian-Chechen war, those sometimes graphic images are used. Occasionally, these are so arresting that the filmmakers can only show them in black-and-white. Sometimes, the screen turns completely black and we only hear sounds. The narrator observes that even an animal does not enjoy such killing. These images bear witness to the satanic pleasure gained by man’s tormenting and torturing of his enemies. This film also brings us into other aspects of the war: soldiers waiting for lunch or leaving the battlefield by helicopter. There is a parallel, poetic evocation of Leo Tolstoy’s prescient book, A Prisoner of the Caucasus. One and a half century ago, the two nations also fought each other, and Tolstoy was among the Russian soldiers. In the people’s eyes, he reads: Why are you here? The narrator recognises this and answers the question,with full clarity, scepticism and purpose: Russia attacks Chechnya because its Army has the weapons and the expendable soldiers which allow it to do so. A powerful plea against this war, and all war.