Heads of State

A fun action movie by Russian director Ilya Naishuller. When the British Prime Minister and the US President come under attack by terrorists, the two of them flee to Trieste for a NATO summit via Belarus and Poland to prevent the alliance from falling apart — all while taking down heavily armed villains… naturally, Russians, who else?

On one hand, it’s a clear caricature of modern Western politicians — their cynicism, ignorance, inability to unite and consider common interests. On the other hand, it’s a Hollywood-style naive and touching anthem to the idealism we wish — but fail — to see in today’s leaders of the free world. Either a harsh satire on NATO or a cinematic call for the alliance to finally get its act together. (A. Dolin)