# Brother

> 1997 film directed by Aleksei Balabanov

**Wikidata**: [Q1192679](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1192679)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_(1997_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/brother

## Summary
Brother is a 1997 Russian crime drama film directed by Aleksei Balabanov. The film follows a young veteran of the First Chechen War who becomes a contract killer in St. Petersburg.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Aleksei Balabanov and released in 1997
- Genre classifications include crime film, drama film, neo-noir, and thriller film
- Produced by STV, a Russian film company founded in 1992
- Distributed by the State Committee for Cinematography, the central state body for Soviet and Russian film production (1922-2008)
- Premiered on May 17, 1997, with additional release dates on December 12, 1997, and July 8, 1998
- Has 33 sitelinks and is titled "Brother (1997 film)" on Wikipedia
- Sequel "Brother 2" was released in 2000, also directed by Balabanov
- Recognized at Russian film awards including the Nika Award (established 1987/1988) and Kinotavr film festival (established 1991)

## FAQs
What is the plot of Brother?
Brother follows Danila Bagrov, a young veteran of the First Chechen War who moves to St. Petersburg and becomes involved in the criminal underworld as a contract killer.

Who directed Brother?
Aleksei Balabanov directed Brother in 1997. He also directed the sequel Brother 2 in 2000.

What genre is Brother?
Brother is classified as a crime film, drama film, neo-noir, and thriller film, combining elements of suspense, criminal activity, and dramatic storytelling.

When was Brother released?
Brother premiered on May 17, 1997, with additional release dates on December 12, 1997, and July 8, 1998.

Is there a sequel to Brother?
Yes, Brother 2 was released in 2000, also directed by Aleksei Balabanov, continuing the story of the main character.

## Why It Matters
Brother is significant as a landmark Russian crime film that captured the social and economic turmoil of post-Soviet Russia in the 1990s. The film's raw portrayal of a young veteran's descent into criminality resonated with audiences and became a cultural touchstone, influencing Russian cinema and popular culture. Its success helped establish Aleksei Balabanov as a major director and demonstrated the commercial viability of Russian crime dramas internationally. The film's soundtrack, featuring Viktor Tsoi's music, also became iconic and contributed to the film's lasting impact on Russian youth culture.

## Notable For
- Capturing the social and economic realities of 1990s post-Soviet Russia
- Launching the career of actor Sergei Bodrov Jr. in the title role
- Featuring music by Viktor Tsoi, which became closely associated with the film
- Establishing Aleksei Balabanov as a prominent Russian director
- Creating a successful franchise with the 2000 sequel Brother 2
- Winning recognition at major Russian film awards and festivals

## Body
### Production and Release
Brother was produced by STV (СТВ), a Russian film company founded in 1992, headquartered in Moscow. The film was distributed through the State Committee for Cinematography (Государственный комитет по кинематографии), the central state body responsible for Soviet and Russian film production from 1922 to 2008. The film had its premiere on May 17, 1997, followed by additional release dates on December 12, 1997, and July 8, 1998.

### Creative Team
The film was written and directed by Aleksei Balabanov, who would go on to direct the sequel Brother 2 in 2000. Balabanov's direction established a distinctive visual and narrative style that combined elements of neo-noir with the social realism of post-Soviet Russia.

### Genre and Style
Brother is classified across multiple genres: crime film, drama film, neo-noir, and thriller film. This multi-genre classification reflects the film's complex narrative that combines criminal underworld elements with dramatic character development and suspenseful sequences. The neo-noir classification is particularly apt given the film's moral ambiguity and stylistic darkness.

### Cultural Impact
The film became a cultural phenomenon in Russia, resonating with audiences through its portrayal of a young man navigating the chaotic criminal landscape of 1990s St. Petersburg. The protagonist's journey from a provincial veteran to an urban contract killer captured the disorientation and moral compromises many Russians experienced during the post-Soviet transition.

### Music and Soundtrack
The film's soundtrack prominently features music by Viktor Tsoi, the legendary Soviet rock musician who died in 1990. The use of Tsoi's music, particularly the song "Gruppa krovi" (Blood Type), became inseparable from the film's identity and contributed significantly to its cultural resonance with Russian youth.

### Sequel and Franchise
The success of Brother led to the creation of a sequel, Brother 2 (Брат 2), released in 2000. Both films were directed by Aleksei Balabanov and continued the story of the main character, establishing a franchise that further cemented the original film's cultural significance.

### Recognition and Awards
Brother received recognition at major Russian film institutions. The Nika Award, established in 1987/1988 as Russia's premier film award, and the Kinotavr film festival, established in 1991 in Sochi, are both mentioned in connection with the film's recognition within the Russian film industry.

### Historical Context
The film's release in 1997 came during a turbulent period in Russian history, just six years after the dissolution of the Soviet Union (December 25, 1991). This historical context is crucial to understanding the film's themes of dislocation, criminality, and the search for identity in a rapidly changing society.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/1997.113.0.html)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118767/)
3. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film843347.html)
4. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118767/fullcredits)
5. Freebase Data Dumps
6. Brother. Rotten Tomatoes
7. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118767/releaseinfo/)
8. [Source](https://europeanfilmawards.eu/en_EN/film/brother.5014)
9. europeanfilmawards.eu
10. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118767/technical/)
11. Kinopoisk
12. Online-Filmdatenbank
13. mymovies.it
14. The Movie Database
15. Trakt.tv
16. FilmVandaag.nl