The other day I watched the Russian movie, Leviathon, as a ‘Home Movie’ courtesy Palace Cinema. 

Spoiler alert. It all ends vey badly. 

‘Leviathon’ is a mythical sea monster referred to in the Old Testament. The movie might be described as a morality tale on the theme of Leviathon. It is in Russian with English sub-titles. 

It’s not a new movie and it’s been in the running for at least one notable prize. 

The story pits a small time ordinary bloke, his teenage son, and his second wife (first wife and mother of teenage son died some years previously) against the corrupt local mayor who wants to take everything from the small time guy and redevelop the land. 

It’s set in scenery of decaying urban industrialisation, in the midst of a Russian nowhere that includes long stretches of uninhabited endless country side as well as magnificent and threatening seascapes. In short, it’s a bleak movie. 

The predominant cultural influence is clearly the local church, Russian Orthodox. The local priest appears on familiar terms with both sides. 

The character are all ‘ordinary’ people, living ordinary lives, with human failings to which there is no obvious answer. 

As I reflected on Leviathon, I wished I could remember more about Dostoevsky and his influence, not to mention other Russian literary giants. 

I thought it a well-made movie, a tragedy with depths that I didn’t have the knowledge or competence to fathom.