| 12 | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Nikita Mikhalkov |
| Written by | Vladimir Moiseenko Alexander Novototsky Nikita Mikhalkov |
| Starring | Nikita Mikhalkov Sergei Garmash Sergei Makovetsky Alexei Petrenko Valentin Gaft Yuri Stoyanov |
| Music by | Eduard Artemyev |
| Cinematography | Vladislav Opelyants |
| Distributed by | TriTe |
| Release date(s) |  September 7, 2007 (premiere at Venice) September 20, 2007 |
| Running time | 153 min. |
| Country | Russia |
| Language | Russian/Chechen |
| Budget | $4,000,000 |
| IMDb profile | |
12 (Russian: Dvenadtsat') is a 2007 film by Russian director and actor Nikita Mikhalkov. The film was presented at the Venice Film Festival, where Mikhalkov was awarded the Special Lion for Overall Work[1]. 12 was submitted by Russia for consideration in the Best Foreign Language Film nomination for the 80th Academy Awards.[2] It is an adaptation of Sidney Lumet's Twelve Angry Men.
Contents |
Plot
The jury decides whether a young Chechen boy is guilty in the murder of his stepfather, Russian military officer. Initially it seems, that the boy was the murderer. However, one of the jurors (Sergei Makovetsky) votes in favour of acquittal. Since the verdict must be rendered unanimously, the jurors revise the case and one by one come to the conclusion, that the boy was framed. The murder was performed by criminals involved in construction business. The discussion is repeatedly interrupted by flashbacks from the boy's wartime childhood. In the end the foreman (Mikhalkov himself) states that he was sure the boy did not commit the crime but he will not vote in favour of acquittal since the acquitted boy will be subsequently killed by the same criminals. Besides the foreman reveals that he is a former intelligence agency officer. After a brief argument the foreman agrees to join the majority. Later the foreman tells the boy that he will find the murderers.
Cast
- Sergei Makovetsky - 1st Juror
- Nikita Mikhalkov - 2nd Juror
- Sergei Garmash - 3rd Juror
- Valentin Gaft - 4th Juror
- Alexei Petrenko - 5th Juror
- Yuri Stoyanov - 6th Juror
- Sergei Gazarov - 7th Juror
- Mikhail Efremov - 8th Juror
- Alexei Gorbunov - 9th Juror
- Sergei Artsybashev - 10th Juror
- Viktor Verzhbitsky - 11th Juror
- Roman Madyanov - 12th Juror
- Alexander Adabashyan - Bailiff
- Apti Magamayev - Chechen boy
Reaction
The movie received mixed critical opinion in Russia and abroad. The Venice Film Festival Jury defined the movie as "confirmation of his [Mikhalkov's] mastery in exploring and revealing to us, with great humanity and emotion, the complexity of existence"[1]. Russian President Vladimir Putin together with the film crew, Chechnya's President Ramzan Kadyrov and Ingushetia's President Murat Zyazikov watched the film in Putin's residence in Novo-Ogarevo. After the screening Putin remarked, that the film “brought a tear to the eye”.[3]. On the other hand, many opposition journalist labelled the film as pro-Putin, pointing that the main hero played by Mikhalkov is a secret service officer[4], while a juror, supposedly representing Russian liberal (played by Sergei Artsybashev), resembles caricature. Another juror (a television producer played by Yuri Stoyanov), is seen by many as a caricature of Russian producer Dmitry Lesnevsky, who is known for collaboration with another Russian director Andrei Zvyagintsev[4].
Trivia
While in the film it is standed, that jurors must render the verdict unanimously, Article 343 of the Criminal Procedural Code of Russia provides, that the verdict of not guilty is passed if at least six jurors out of twelve voted not guilty.[5].
Notes
- ^ a b Official Awards at the 64th Venice Film Festival. www.labiennale.org. Retrieved on 2007-12-12.
- ^ Oscar press releases
- ^ Mikhalkov's film "12" screened in Moscow and Chechnya
- ^ a b 12 as an apology of Putin. www.ej.ru. Retrieved on 2007-12-12.(Russian)
- ^ Criminal Procedural Code of the Russian Federation
