The Russia House - Русский Дом - Русский Отдел

Not the blockbuster that the latest Le Carre novel-turned film might be. The Russia House however is a great film covering the early years of Soviet break up. The scenes, sound track, dialgoue and setting capture much of the cold war mind sets that continue to plague international relations. I am shocked at how well the film captures the characters and I can imagine so many people I have met in the Former Soviet Republics who resemble, almost too closely, many of those depicted in the film.

The translation of the title is also worth noting. There are two in use in Russia, both provided in the title above. The reason is that the first is a direct translation of the English words. The second, however, captures the idea in the film, that the Russia House is the internal Department dedicated to Russian affairs. The English does not refer to a Russian house so much as it does - the Russian Department.



The Tribute to the Film