Once In The Desert (2022)
Overview
The films follows a Syrian War Explosive Ordnance Disposal team who are targeted by ISIS militants while they prepare the recently liberated historic site of Palmyra to hold a symbolic concert of the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra. The peacekeeping event can only be held in Palmyra that has been severely damaged by the terrorists only if the ancient city and the roads leading to it are defused. The EOD team clears the way one kilometer at a time. But the closer they get to the center of Palmyra, the more destructive the explosives. Tension grows between the young team Captain and the most experienced of the EOD experts. And yet, despite their differences, when the team falls into an ambush and the Captain goes missing, it’s the experienced sapper that sets out to search for him.
Cast
Aleksandr Robak
Pavel Chinaryov
Alexandr Metelkin
Ekaterina Nesterova
Igor Gordin
Polina Pushkaruk
Vitaliya Kornienko
Anna Potebnya
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Once in the Desert, like so many Russian war films, takes a down to earth glimpse at the awfulness of war.
This film does not glorify war, it does not glamorise it.Certainly, sacrifice is seen as heroic but in a very modest sense.
In terms of storytelling, this is a solid film but it does feel a little loose in the middle. That said, it bring the threads together, in a way that makes sense and is, in its own way, rather poignant and sad.
Special effects and cinematography are outstanding.The full horror and effects of explosions, are brutally articulated. Acting is low key and characters are very believable.
In summary, a war film with what is really an anti war message. One that hopes for an end to conflict and renewed peace. Its sad, poignant and should give anyone who glorifies war, pause for thought.
