This is an Orthodox movie in its core, and it might not appeal to people of different religious backgrounds. Orthodox church is not a church of comfortable and simple, but ridiculous answers. Its path is hard and full of obstacles, and the fight for salvation, is life long. Of course, this is completely opposite to evangelical, easy fix theology that calms the minds of the naive folk. This movie is not an advert for converting to the Orthodox faith. How could it be? All three monks that we see in this movie are struggling to understand their spiritual journey.Being religious is a tough gift, not for the faint of heart.

Mesmerizingly beautiful and profoundly moving, this 2006 prize winning Russian film THE ISLAND is gratefully brought to the public by Film Movement. Everything about the film - the screenplay by Dmitri Sobolev, the haunting musical score by Vladimir Martynov, the cinematography by Andrei Zhegalov and the direction by Pavel Lounguine (aka Lungin) - is the epitome of sophistication in cinematic art.

The story opens in 1942 in Russia where Nazis come aboard a little Russian craft manned by Tikhon (Aleksei Zelensky) and his mate Anatoly (Timofey Tribuntsev): the Nazi officer threatens Anatoly and in the end has Anatoly shoot Tikhon and the shot Tikhon drops into the cold ocean. Years later somewhere in Northern Russia in a small Russian Orthodox monastery an older Anatoly (Pyotr Mamonov) confuses his fellow monks with his bizarre behavior and his apparent ability to cast out demons, heal, and foretell the future to people who visit the island monastery particularly for Anatoly's gifts. But Anatoly's mind is racked with guilt because he knows he killed his closest friend Tikhon. Father Filaret (Viktor Sukhorukov),the principal monk, falls under Anatoly's spell and because of Anatoly's simple life, Filaret gives up his worldly goods to be more like Anatoly. Father Iov (Dmitriy Dyuzhev) attempts to bring sanity into Anatoly's life, but in the end he is deeply moved by the crazy priest. One of the visitors brings his insane daughter to Anatoly, Anatoly frees her of demons, and the grateful visitor tells Anatoly that he did not indeed kill Tikhon - that he survived and still lives. And it is in this peace that Anatoly allows himself to die.

The supporting cast has only brief moments on screen but they are memorable. The focus of the film is the portrayal of Anatoly by Pyotr Mamonov - it is a miracle of acting. This is a film that will haunt the viewer not only because of its message but also because of its beauty. As Santayana said, 'Sanity is a madness put to good uses.'

Grady Harp

Only a question. About faith, gestures and God. About life more that pieces of smoke shadows. About the games of world and the words of a monk. A film about small things. And heavy pray. Orthodox and human. Warm and cruel. Drops of salt honey and mist walls. A feeling, emotion or trip in your sense, social character or excuses. History of a murder, at the end is the description of unique gift. Father Job,the fake widow, the young mother, Tikhon, father starets, Anatol-the fool in Christ - slices of every onlooker. A testimony about an universe who lives behind common colors. A masterpiece, with a great blue, with bundle of words, with the taste of childhood, with the delicate touch of a land where God is fresh bread.