Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 17:46

Officer Boboul is a side-character I mostly omitted during the summary, but he is important and even plays a major role at the finale I won’t go into detail with. Unlike Vassyl he likes the power cop’s position provides since with it he can humiliate and hurt people with no consequence for himself. Next to Morda (Orestes) he’s the most negative character in the film.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 17:39

Speaking of Olena, it’s peculiar that she has no family of her own which may be part of the reason why she’s such a fanatical christian. It’s also interesting that Pamfir took a full orphan with somewhat foreign religious views as his wife. Though it’s possible that the miscarriage is the reason she became a fanatic, since christians intentionally seek out people at their weakest as such state makes indoctrination easier.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 14:09

After Malanka Pamfir and Nazar go to the tunnel. On their way the Leonid tells his son the meaning behind his nickname Pamfir.

Later Nazar enters the tunnel with the package, still dressed in his costume and with the mask to protect his head, but they get attacked by the border patrol. Leonid dies from many wounds in the tunnel and gives his final words of wisdom to Nazar. The latter crawls out now reborn as a criminal and new Pamfir (both his father and great grandfather had this nickname).

The scene referees ancient European tradition of using tunnels for rituals of manhood. Boys enter the tunnel and leave from the other side as men and full members of their society. Similarly Nazar is now a man too after his first smuggling and loosing his father.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 13:32

Later Vassyl and Pamfir have a short chat. The former tries to comfort his old friend and says that trying to fight Mr.Orestes is pointless. Leonid reminds Vassyl of their school days. The latter was a whipping boy and obeyed the gang-leader, Pamfir was the only one who defended him. Obviously despite all those years Vassyl didn’t change and still sheepishly follows the orders of his superior, even though he probably became a cop to compensate for all the humiliation from back in the day.
He represent the type of person who sees the corruption and would like to go against it, but is too much of a coward to actually do so.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 13:12

Next is the scene in police department where Orestes tells Pamfir to do a job for him. He also humiliates Vassyl to show his dominance. Despite being a representative of the law, Orestes acts like a criminal boss and in the original he is addressed by a nickname Morda which the subtitles commit, even though it’s quite important.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 12:51

Later Leonid discusses religion with his wife which is a very interesting scene, since the two have almost diametrically different perspectives. Leonid also tells her a story of his grandfather whose nickname he inherited. That Pamfir was a pious man for most of his life, but one day he made an icon which had no humility according to the priest. The latter than tore it apart and since then Pamfir never went to church till his death and asked relatives to bury him without a priest.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 11:59

Vassyl tries to help Pamfir after all

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 10:43

Ultimately, Pamfir is subdued and Orestes threatens him and takes the money.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 10:39

On his way home Pamfir is taken by Mr.Oreste’s men. He knows what will happen and takes the rest of booster pills lefter after the run. He also uses the opportunity to chat with Vassyl.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 09:55

Sadly, they get spotted by the border patrol. The police is very corrupt and is actually in control of local smuggling and since Pamfir didn’t get their permission he is to be punished.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 08:00

The following day the smuggling operation begins and just before the run Pamfir learns that his brother enlisted local twins who are also Leonid’s godchildren. This frustrates him, but there is no one else.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 06:44

Next is the church choir performance.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

14 Aug 2023 23:37

Leonid can’t do the job alone and asks his brother to find someone strong enough. He doesn’t like breaking his old word, but well-digging won’t do to repay the church.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

14 Aug 2023 23:31

Nazar then starts a fire in the church which almost takes the entire building down. He wanted to burn his father’s documents which were kept there, but didn’t expect the fire to be that great. Pamfir promises the priest to repay all the damages and asks him not to tell anyone that Nazar did this.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

14 Aug 2023 23:26

Olena forces Nazar to take part in the choir repetitions for the upcoming festival. He doesn’t like that, but has no choice.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 17:42

Another family member, Pamfir’s brother Viktor is interesting. He is a small guy and used to be a mama’s boy, but acts tough probably trying to emulate his older brother Pamfir. He has rather law morals since he wants his woman to abort the child and won’t even pay for it. Also he didn’t tell Leonid that he was smuggling for Mr.Orestes. There’s clearly an attempt to compensate even in his unique Malanka mask.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 17:37

Some notes on the side-characters before I am done with the review for good. Pamfir’s father is an interesting one and I like how their relationship was depicted. By the end of the story he made an attempt at piece with Olena, but a new tragedy occurred.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 13:35

Next is the highlight of the film. The night of the Malanka festival. Cinematography and music here are great and give a very primordial feel to this ancient celebration.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 13:25

One of Mr.Orestes’ conditions is for Pamfir’s son to take part too since the tunnel is too narrow. Nazar is eager to help his father and, as it turns out, he knew about the smuggling long before. Leonid does not want his son to end up a criminal, yet once again, has no choice.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 12:56

By the end of the dialogue Pamfir tells Olena that he will go celebrate Malanka with Nazar as he promised even though she is against it due to the festival being Pagan one.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 12:05

Next we learn why Leonid hates his father. When she was smuggling alone she took too much weight and had a miscarriage. Pamfir’s father could have helped, but was convinced by his wife not too. The latter always hated Olena, partially due to her being a shtundist, though mothers often hate their son’s wives for no particular reason.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 11:57

Rat, despite his name, is loyal and don’t rat Pamfir out, despite clearly being tortured.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 10:42

Next is the fight. It’s very well shot and shows how strong Pamfir is taking an entire crowd alone.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 10:33

The one who spotted Leonid is Vassyl, his old friend from school who tells the chief of police Mr.Orestes a story about Pamfir’s first smuggling failure and earned him the nickname.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 08:01

The smuggling run is beautifully shot and features a lot of atmospheric forest scenery covered in light fog.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 06:45

Leonid comes to see his son and is happy with how the latter managed to both keep his word and not sing.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

15 Aug 2023 06:39

Pamfir’s old friend nicknamed Rat provides the contraband and arranges everything mentioning that he’ll only do it once only to help Leonid.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

14 Aug 2023 23:35

This situation forces Pamfir to return to crime. He calls his old smuggler friend to organize a one time job.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

14 Aug 2023 23:28

Here we learn that Pamfir is not interested in visiting the church himself, yet is married to a zealous protestant. Sadly, this is not as uncommon as it may seem. As for the reasons why Leonid is so anti-christian those will be revealed later.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

14 Aug 2023 22:31

We later see Pamfir’s wife Olena in a church. She is a shtundist, a rare sect of judaism especially in Ukraine. Basically they are protestants. Notice how it's all women and children (forced by their mothers). This view of christianity as something that appeals mostly to weak and submissive was shared by the ancients. We all remember Celsus saying that christianity is for women, children and idiots.