Aleksei Chadov who plays the double part of Ivan (a Russian soldier) as well as narrator does a splendid job on both counts. "Voyna" is one of his early films and I believe he will be much sought after as an actor in future Russian films.
This is an interesting film because in the latter half we get a glimpse of life in Chechna, something that has been pretty rare among Westerners. The film tends to give the Russian point of view of the continuing conflict in that area although there are a few gibes against the Russians in authority. One Chechnan makes a strong comment when he tells Ivan..."You are fighting because you were drafted into the army. We Chechnans are fighting because this is our homeland".
The Chechnans are depicted as very cruel and calculating Muslims. When they take prisoners they hold them in underground dug-outs and demand large sums of money for their release. Unfortunately for the prisoners who are kept in the most unsanitary conditions their respective governments will not submit to terrorist demands. That means they are left to their own resources and escape seems almost impossible.
One of the prisoners is John a British actor who was captured in neighbouring Georgia making a film with his fiancée Margaret. The Chechnan captain agrees to give John his freedom for a couple of months to find $2 million American dollars as ransom money holding Margaret in captivity as security. Ivan accompanies John on his search for help.
Their frantic search for the money takes them to the embassies in Moscow and London. It's a race against time and they have no idea how Margaret is faring in her underground prison.
The final scene is one of guerrilla warfare in which a number of pressing matters are resolved. There are many gory scenes in this film during which some viewers may wish to close their eyes, but I suggest they stay with it to the end.
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