Leviathan

Oscar-nominated epic narrative about corruption and abuse of political power in Russia, inspired by the Bible story of Job. Car mechanic Kolia lives in a small town in northern Russia. His life is turned upside down when the mayor claims his business, his house and his land. The film recently won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Kolia’s car repair workshop is right next to the house he built himself, and where he lives with his wife Lilya and their son Roma. The mayor of the town seeks to expropriate Kolia’s business, his house and his land. Initially, he tries to buy him out, but Kolia goes to court. The judge, however, turns out to be manipulated by the mayor, who also controls the church and the local mafia.

Paradoxically, director Andrej Zvyagintsev (Elena, The Return) made this indictment with financial government support. The film was initially banned in Russia, supposedly for offensive language. Zvyagintsev therefore made a special version for the Russian market. The title refers to the 1651 book of political philosophy by Thomas Hobbes, in which he described the human condition, the state and Christianity.