Yes, the band Nautilus is authentic, as are the albumn names. 'Yablokitaij' came out at about around the time this movie was made, it was their last. Butusov went solo shortly after Brat-2. The cult-following is based mostly around the lyrics, very poetic, so unfortunately, their western appeal is limited. Side note, does any one else take issue with the user comment on this film? I think this is the same guy who commented on Balabanov's '02 film "The War" because he also recommended freaks and men. I think the comment is very one-dimensional and shallow. First of all, the lead acting is absolutely brilliant on many levels. S. Bodrov's charachter excellently complements the film's recurring theme of nationalism and possibly xenophobia, which coincidentally is bound together by the musical accompaniment. Nautilus is Danila's favorite band because of its poeticism and esoteric lyrics, and he makes his distaste of western club music well known. This was more than a film that shocked and amazed the late-90s Russian audience with its uniqueness. It eloquently displays the clash of Russian nationalism and western cultural import in post-soviet society, using the backdrop of Peter's city, the "Window on the West." Danila and Viktor take their place in a long tradition of family ties and obligation portrayed in Soviet/Russian cinema. Their brotherly relationship makes special nod to that in the perestroika film "Burglar" of '88, with brothers standing by each other in crime among all other things. I will be the first to admit that a lack of interest in Russian culture will not lead to love for this film, or any of Balabanov's in my opinion, but for all the things that this film is, those who may be intersted in it should be aware. The Englander's statement to the effect that some aspects of the film are painful for western eyes is invalid, as an American with limited Russian language and knowledge of culture, it appeals to me a great deal more so than many more well produced Russian or Soviet films. Sorry for the rant, should have started my own topic, but I'm too busy fighting adware at 6 in the morning.
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