Sergei Loznitsa's _Two Prosecutors_: A Kafkaesque Tale of Stalinist Terror

_Under the shadow of Stalin's Great Terror, Sergei Loznitsa's film _Two Prosecutors_ tells the story of a young lawyer, Kornyev (Aleksandr Kuznetsov), who seeks justice for a political prisoner, Stepnyak (Aleksandr Filippenko), in 1937. The film, based on a novella by Georgy Demidov, explores the futility of pursuing justice within a corrupt system, as Kornyev navigates the oppressive bureaucracy of Stalin's regime.

‘Two Prosecutors’ Review: Sergei Loznitsa’s Quietly Tense Drama — FilmSpeakVulture

Kornyev's journey begins at a prison in Bryansk, where he insists on meeting Stepnyak, who claims to have been wrongfully imprisoned and tortured by the NKVD, the Soviet secret police. Despite facing numerous obstacles, Kornyev travels to Moscow to confront Prosecutor General Andrey Vyshinsky (Anatoliy Beliy), a notorious figure complicit in the regime's brutalities. Loznitsa illustrates Kornyev's idealism and understanding of the law, juxtaposed against the grim reality of a system designed to thwart justice. The film's narrative unfolds through a series of conversations that reveal the emptiness of Kornyev's quest, as he unwittingly becomes part of a charade.

‘Two Prosecutors’ Review: Sergei Loznitsa’s Quietly Tense Drama — FilmSpeak

Loznitsa employs a locked-down camera style, framing characters within rigid compositions that evoke a sense of confinement. This visual approach reinforces the themes of physical and spiritual imprisonment, as Kornyev's determination leads him deeper into a system that offers no hope for justice. The film's pacing demands patience from the audience, mirroring Kornyev's painstaking search for truth amidst a backdrop of systemic corruption.

‘Two Prosecutors’ Review: Sergei Loznitsa’s Quietly Tense Drama — FilmSpeak

Critics note that _Two Prosecutors_ serves as a poignant critique of both historical and contemporary Russian governance. Loznitsa's portrayal of the NKVD's actions during Stalin's Great Purge, which resulted in the execution of an estimated 700,000 to 1.2 million individuals, resonates with current events in Russia. The film acts as a cautionary tale, urging viewers to remember the past and recognize the ongoing implications of such oppressive systems.

‘Two Prosecutors’ Review: Sergei Loznitsa’s Quietly Tense Drama — FilmSpeak

In discussing the film, Loznitsa remarked, “Our entire lives are structured as a chain of various rituals,” highlighting the absurdity and futility of Kornyev's efforts. The film's narrative trajectory, described as a "bitter cosmic joke," underscores the tragic irony of seeking justice in a system that has become a monstrosity.

Vulture

While the film's portrayal of the NKVD and its historical context is generally consistent, some sources differ on the specifics of the events depicted. The exact number of executions during the Great Purge remains a subject of debate, with estimates varying significantly.

‘Two Prosecutors’ Review: Sergei Loznitsa’s Quietly Tense Drama — FilmSpeak

As Loznitsa continues to explore themes of oppression and justice, audiences can anticipate further works that reflect on the complexities of history and its relevance to contemporary issues. _Two Prosecutors_ stands as a significant addition to his filmography, merging documentary rigor with narrative depth.

Vulture