New Russian comedy pays homage to past masters
Published 20 August, 2008, 13:41
Are you tired of serious films? If so, film director Tigran Keosayan’s new film ‘Mirage’ might be what you’re looking for. Although the film tackles a very serious issue – the problem of the trade in sex slaves – it does so in a light-hearted way.
“I didn’t want to show and explain the problem of sex traffic. Yes, today it’s a great problem, but I put another thing as an object” said Keosayan.
The object was to create a pure comedy with a dash of sarcasm and a nod to spaghetti westerns such as Sergio Leone's ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ and ‘Once Upon a Time in the West’.
The violence in the film is cartoonish and doesn't even look authentic.
In paying homage to the genre, Keosayan sticks to the primary rule: the good guys always win and the bad guys always lose.
He has made a name for himself as one of Russia's most ironic filmmakers. His comedies attract audiences of all ages. People both laugh and cry while watching his movies.
Actress Alyona Khmelnitskaya says that genre movies in general and westerns in particular have always appealed to her.
“I hope filmgoers will appreciate our jokes and will simply enjoy the film instead of asking themselves serious questions like why these five people stay alive.”
The comedy ‘Mirage’ opens in Russian cinemas this week.
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