There is an absolutely fabulous Foreign Action, Drama, War Movie put out by the Russian film industry called " Svolochi " or " Bastards " as the English translation goes. " Svolochi " or " Bastards " is a current 2006 release directed by Aleksandr Atanesyan -- clearly, Atanesyan will be a name to remember. With excellent cinematography by Dmitriy Youshenkov, " Svolochi " features a cast of young stars portraying the young " Bastards " who range in ages from 12 to 17 and who have come from dysfunctional backgrounds, raised themselves from the gutters and learned the craft in the world of crime, murder, and mayhem. They have been caught by the police and are sent to a secret desolate military training base run by Nachalnik Vishnevskiy, convincingly portrayed by Andrei Panin. Vishnevskiy is a Russian military commandant trained to do covert activities -- and a man who has little to live for in the sense that he has lost his wife and child and has little else to live for. Here in their desolate lair, Vishnevskiy and his staff of military experts train the boys to work with explosives, scale rocky crests and cliffs, and handle military weapons -- but they know all too well how to handle weapons already. And as the boys continue to abuse each other with their own deceptive and conniving ways, Vishnevskiy and his men develop a respect if not bond with and for the young boys. As first one, and then another of the young ones are killed in accidents and murder, the boys decide it is nearing their time to break away from their military confines. But all too late come their plans as Vishnevskiy is given his orders to prepare the first group for their mission. The movie poignantly and superbly unfolds to reveal a climactic conclusion that staggers the mind with the possibility of reality and the hellish ordeal the " Bastards" must face -- making the " Svolochi " a new must see future classic of Russian films -- absolutely, moving, eloquent, and superbly crafted.
