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Book Of Job: Film Analysis

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The relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the Russian State is a complex union defined by the term Symphonia. Andrey Zvyagintsev's 2014 film Leviathan, is a reinterpretation of the biblical book of Job that explores this link. Set in a fictional place Teriberka, Murmansk Oblast, Leviathan tells the story of Kolya and his family as the state works to demolish his home so that a new Orthodox Church may be built on the property. In the film, Koyla’s life begins to spiral out of control as the State works to benefit the Church. Modern Russia and the idea of Symphonia is highly criticized throughout the film. Because this film was made in contemporary Russia, and because it so blatantly criticizes the corrupt relationship and …show more content…

Koyla represents Job while is tested throughout the film, battling to save his home and his marriage, as “Job is the Biblical Everyman who dares to take God to task for his indifference to human suffering” (Garcia). The mayor works against Koyla at every turn to try and steal his land away in a long and arduous legal battle. Zvyagintsev tries to show how “the ways in which the march of development and greed is destroying traditional life and how the little man is crushed by those in power….authority has become the monster [the Leviathan] (Leviathan’ A Dark Social Satire). This view of authority in the film is something Zvyagintsev embodies through the communication between the mayor and the ROC …show more content…

at the end of the film, the Church has used Koyla’s land to build their new church. Zvyagintsev portrays the Russian Orthodox Church as an essentially unspiritual extension of a governing system maintained through deception, intimidation, and control (Bekkering). This is something that the film has been praised for by Western audiences, but condemned by Russian viewers at home. In an interview. Zvyagintsev even explains how “all churches are in league with politicians” (Garcia). Koyla is subject to the whim of the powerhouse that is the ROC and State. From the director’s viewpoint, the Relationship between Church and state takes power from the everyday citizens as ‘’Kolya [does] not choose. Choices [are] made for him. Things [are] done to him’” (Garcia). The way that Koyla handles his unfortunate circumstances also provides commentary on the site of alcoholism in contemporary Russia and other Russian stereotypes as Koyla often drinks and is sown intoxicated. The fall from grace that Koyla experiences as a result of the battle for his home against the Church and State shows the power this relationship has to destroy if it is left unchallenged. It is this portrayal of Contemporary Russia that Zvyagintsev uses to provide commentary of the effect that symphonia has on the individuals, and it is this commentary that Russian audiences, and the

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