Prisoner of the Mountains

Geller Production (Russia - USA). 1996
Directed by Sergey Bodrov, Sr.
Screenplay by Boris Geller, Sergey Bodrov, Sr.
Director of photography: Pavel Lebeshev

Cast:
Sanya - Oleg Menshikov
Ivan Zhilin - Sergey Bodrov, Jr.
Abdul-Murat - Gemal Sirakhulidze
Hasan - Alexandr Bureyev
Dina - Susanna Mekhraliyeva
Zhilin's Mother - Valentina Fedotova
Maslov - Alexey Zharkov

The Caucasus is on war. Ensign Sanya and private Zhilin are captured by Abdul-Murat who wants to exchange them for his son. Chained to each other, these two very unlike persons gradually start to understand each other.
But the exchange will never take place. Sanya will be killed after unsuccessful attempt to escape. Abdul-Murat's son will die too. The inevitable death seems to be awaiting Zhilin as well…

• The State Award of the Russian Federation" in the nomination of Cinema Art
  
• Grand Prix of the "Kinotavr" Film Festival for the best actor performance
  
• The professional cinematographic "Nika" Award for the best actor performance
  
• International Festival "Baltic Pearl", Award for the best actor performance
  
• Russian Independent Award "Triumph" - for the outstanding contribution to Russian culture
  
• Award " Golden AriesÎâåí " for the results of the year - "To the Universal actor - the leader of cinema generation"
  

• "Prisoner of the Caucasus".
  L.B., "Cahiers du Cinema" (France), No. 570, July-August 2002
• "Prisoner of the Caucasus".
  Jean-Louis Bourget, "Positif" (France), No. 497/498, July-August 2002
• Zoom: Oleg Menshikov.
  Alexis Eder, "Reperages" (France), No. 31, July-August 2002
• Prisoner of the Caucasus, an acid and dreamlike reflection about war.
  Thierry Cheze, "Studio" Magazine (France), No. 180, July-August 2002
• The Survivor of Bodrov: "Prisoner of the Caucasus", a film full of humor about the Chechen conflict.
  Daniele Heymann, "Marianne" (France), July 15-21, 2002
• Prisoner of the Mountains.
  Hugo De Saint Phalle, "Monsieur Cinema" (France), July 17, 2002
• Interview with Sergei Bodrov.
  Jean-Max Mejean, "Cine Libre" (France), July 17, 2002
• The Eternal War.
  Marie-Noelle Tranchant, "Le Figaro" (France), July 17, 2002
• The nonsense of any war. A lesson of life and tragic cinema, funny and poetic.
  Jean-Max Mejean, "Cine Libre" (France), July 17, 2002
• "Suffering up to the stones and the souls of the Caucasus".
  Jean-Michel Frodon, "Le Monde" (France), July 17, 2002
• Prisoner of the Mountains.
  Pascal Merigeau, "Le Nouvel Observateur" (France), July 17, 2002
• "Prisoner of the Caucasus".
  Jean-Christophe Buisson, "Le Figaro" Magazine (France), July 13, 2002
• "Sergei Bodrov: his life is a story".
  Regis Wargnier, Le Figaro-Magazine (France), July 13, 2002
• Prisoner of the Mountains.
  Francois-Guillaume Lorrain, "Le Point" (France), No. 1556, July 12, 2002
• Prisoner of the Caucasus.
  S.G., "Premiere" (France), July 2002
• Updating Tolstoy, A Russian Director Faces War's Anguish
  Michael Specter, "The New York Times", July 22, 1997
• Humanity Beyond The Politics
  Peter Crayford, "Australian Financial Review", June 27, 1997
• Buddy Flick Served With A Twist
  Sandra Hall, "Sydney Morning Herald", June 26, 1997
• Russia's Oscar nominee explores personal side of war.
  Joe Baltake, "Bee Movie" Critic, March 14, 1997
• From Russia, "Prisoner"
  Malcolm Johnson, "The Hartford Courant", March 14, 1997
• Hostage drama seizes the imagination
  Bill Morrison, "The News & Observer Raleigh", March 7, 1997
• Present-day conflict fits an old scenario
  Bill Briggs, "Denver Post", February 21, 1997
• War Zone A Gray Area In Haunting "Prisoner"
  Robert Denerstein, "Rocky Mountain News", February 21, 1997
• The movie is better than the Tolstoy story
  Stephen Hunter, "The Baltimore Sun", February 16, 1997
• Climbing the 'Mountains'
  Kevin Thomas, "Los Angeles Times", Fevruary 13, 1997
• Pondering Prisoner
  Richard von Busack, "Metro", February 6-12, 1997
• The politics of art
  Bruce Kirkland, "Toronto Sun", February 8, 1997
• "Prisoner Of The Mountains" Cuts To Heart Of War's Futility
  Michael Wilmington, "Chicago Tribune", February 7, 1997
• Russian Cinema Bounces Back With Chechen Tale
  David Sterritt, "The Christian Science Monitor", February 4, 1997
• Shooting Range
  Bill Stamets, "Chicago Sun-Times", February 2, 1997
• A Prisoner of the Caucasus
  Carlota Zimmerman, "Russian Life", February 1, 1997
• Two Hostages In a Village So Remote
  Janet Maslin, The New York Times, January 31, 1997
• Prisoner of the Mountains
  Louis Menashe, “Cineaste”, January 1, 1997
• Prisoner of The Mountains
  James Berardinelli, 1997
• Retrospective "Prisoner of the Mountains"
  Pedro Sena, 1997
• Prisoner of the Mountains
  "Spliced Wire", 1997
• Prisoner of the Mountains.
  Jon Matsumoto, "Boxoffice Magazine"
• Prisoner of the Mountains.
  Jayne Margetts, "iZine" Dendy Films
• Prisoner of the Mountains.
  "Urban Cinefile"
• Prisoner of the Mountains.
  Darren Zenko, See Magazine
• End Game.
  Ian Birnie, "FilmMaker Magazine"

• "Blue Modest Kerchief"
• "Farewell of the Slav"
• "Let my people go..."