Watch War

War is a Russian film concerning the disturbing realities associated with the Second Chechen War. The movie by Aleksei Balabanov stars Ian Kelly and Aleksei Chadov. The story starts with Ivan Yermakov (played by Alexei Chadov) reciting his story in an interview. Following that, the war camp he ran is depicted near a Chchnyan aul.

After the fall of Chechen warlord, Grozny, Aslan Gugayev (played by Giorgi Gurgulia) has developed a lucrative kidnapping business. He also has a relatively secure income from organized crime gang activities in Moscow, Samara and Saint Peterburg, as well as legitimate businesses.

Ivan and his friend Fedka had been taken prisoner in the early part of 2000. They were also joined by Semyon who was from Vladikavkaz. The Russian-Jewish hostage was being held for ransom.

In addition, theater actors Margaret (played by Ingeborga Dapk?naite) and her fiance, John Boyle (played by Ian Kelly) had also been kidnapped while on tour in Georgia. Since Ivan had computer experience, he was able to learn some English and was able to translate for his mates in captivity.

Luckily, their captor, Aslan, also trusted him to access the Internet for him. Because of his, those captive were able to share their experience of living in a pit. Additionally, the Chechens at times would display the lengths to which they would go in order to get their way. There were also public beheadings and other ghastly deeds broadcast over the Internet, as punishment for ransom delays.

Semyon is presumed dead and the other four captives were sent to live in a remote location. They join Captain Medvedev (played by Sergei Bodrov, Jr.) who is a paralyzed Russian. Even in this state, the rest of the captives find him uplifting.

The camp is assaulted, despite the brutal Aslan's oath to God that no one will be hurt. John later discovers that Margaret has been beaten and raped. He then guns down Aslan down.

At the airbase, Ivan receives 35 thousand pounds that he was promised. The story is revived when the documentary that John shot gains notoriety. As a result, Ivan is charged with murdering Russian Federation citizens. Since he was discharged by the military, John is not charged. He never went back to Russia, giving a statement to authorities in England.

Ruslan Shamayev, however, goes to Moscow to detail the savage beating he received from Ivan. It is also disclosed how Ivan murdered Chechen women and children and that he resides in Moscow with a son at the University.

The Captain ultimately supports Ivan's official statement so he believes he has escaped conviction, though it is not clear that he actually has done so.