A docudrama about the escape of Russian pilots after being taken hostage by the Taliban in 1996.
Acting
Mashkov's thousand-yard stare should be studied in film schools.
Production
Shot in Tajikistan standing in for Afghanistan—authentic dust and dread.
Direction
Kavun refuses to glorify; every escape attempt feels exhausting.
Director
Andrey Kavun
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on the real 1996 hijacking of a Russian cargo plane; the actual pilots consulted on set and reportedly found reenactments 'too soft.'
Released as Russia was escalating in Chechnya, making its sympathetic Afghan framing politically complicated at home.
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