This movie made a really big splash in Cannes for being a Russian film that completely tears apart Russia's corrupted system of government. Even though it was raved about at the festival (many believe it should have won the Palme D'Or, but it was awarded with the Screenplay prize instead) no one thought it would ever be submitted by Russia as their Foreign Film entry in the Oscar race, and just this week it was announced that lo and behold, it will be (after the director of the committee's first choice withdrew his film from consideration, saying he doesn't believe in competition). It's pretty shocking of them to do this, but perhaps they're trying to make themselves look good by being able to point to it as an example of Russians having free speech after all. Right. Well, at least we'll be able to see it here eventually (probably early next year).
