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August. Eighth
Август. Восьмого
2012 120 min Russia R 12+
★6.1
Action, Drama, Fantasy
Director: Dzhanik Fayziev
Trailers
Description
August Eighth - story of an ordinary young woman. Ksenia's life is not too happy. Problem at work, problem in personal life, problem with mother, a baby requiring constant cares... Ksenia want to spend a few days in Sochi with new boyfriend, and mom sends her son Artem to the boy's father on Caucasus. But Georgia started war and she must overcome fear, overcome circumstances, she must save her child...
Budget:
$16M
Starring
Svetlana Ivanova
Actor
Egor Beroev
Actor
Artyom Fadeev
Actor
Awards
Georges Awards 2013
— Best Russian Action Film
Georges Awards 2013
— Best Russian Drama
Key opinion
August Eighth is a highly divisive film that attempts to bridge the gap between a domestic war drama and a high-concept Hollywood blockbuster. While some viewers praise its emotional intensity and patriotic message, many critics find the tonal blend of fantasy elements and grim combat to be disjointed, cynical, or poorly executed.
| Acting | Svetlana Ivanova’s performance is a central anchor, with many viewers finding her portrayal of a mother determined to save her child both compelling and moving. | |
| Originality | The film’s reliance on giant CGI robots is widely criticized as a superficial and distracting gimmick that clashes with the serious subject matter of the 2008 conflict. | |
| Screenplay | The script is viewed as inconsistent, featuring flat characterizations and logical lapses that prevent the drama from feeling grounded or authentic. | |
| Theme | Opinions on the film's integration of war and fantasy are split: some find the child's perspective and dream sequences essential to exploring trauma, while others view them as a jarring, illogical departure from the realistic combat scenes. | |
| Production | Technical reactions to the visual effects are divided, with some praising the production design and action sequences, while others dismiss the CGI and robot animation as amateurish and poorly rendered. | |
| Culture | The film's political stance is contentious: supporters appreciate its patriotic focus on bravery and sacrifice, while detractors argue it avoids meaningful political context and treats the war as a hollow backdrop for an action spectacle. |