Mysterium Occupation

Running time: 90 mins

The first independent film produced in Belarus, as well as the first feature film from director Andrej Kudinyenko, Mysterium Occupation is easily the most interesting and important film dealing with World War II to emerge from that country since Elim Klimov?s Run Come See (1968).

Ever since World War II, Belarus?s most cherished historical icon has been that of the noble partisan, vastly outnumbered yet valiantly fighting on against the Germans. The view of them seen in this film is that most of the time they were little more than gangs of forest dwelling renegades, plundering, raping and murdering anyone they deemed a traitor, a law unto themselves.

Told with a strong visual flair, Mysterium Occupation?s three interconnected tales (?Adam and Eve,? ?Mother,? ?Father?) starkly portray the tryptich religious analogies implied in the episodes? titles even as they expose the lie behind the partisan myth. Ultimately the redemptive hope of each is subverted by the ubiquitous presence of war.

Though made on a shoestring budget, the evidences of this serve only to heighten the film?s power and message. For daring to attack the national myth (providing a ?negative educational influence on adolescents?) Mysterium Occupation was denied a license by the state censors and forbidden screenings in its native land. It is a powerful, provocative film you will not soon forget.

Charlie Cockey

MAVERICK COMPETITION