LEAVING AFGHANISTAN

At long last, it seems the war in Afghanistan is over: the Soviet Union has decided to withdraw its forces. However, the mujahedin have kidnapped General Vasiliev’s son. Looks like the 108th motorised infantry division will have to wait a little longer before they can finally head back home. The unit rides out to Salaang Pass on a search and rescue mission. Based on real-life events and featuring highly evocative production design, Pavel Lungin’s film depicts the individual soldiers as memorable characters moving in a shifting terrain of honesty, trust, deception and betrayal. At times they manage to stay in touch with their emotions – other times severity and barbarism have the final say.