Independent Lens
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For God, Tsar and Fatherland
Russian nationalism percolates in a castle outside Moscow, where Mikhail Morozov — who longs for a return to the glory days of Old Russia — rules autonomously over young initiates, laying the groundwork for a rapidly growing right-wing movement.
- Series
- Global Voices
- Premiere Date
- June 8, 2008
- Length
- 60 minutes
- Funding Initiative
- International
Producer
Paul Rozenberg
Director
Nino Kirtadze
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The Film
Mikhail Morozov is a Russian patriot, good Christian, and successful businessman. He owns Durakovo — the “Village of Fools” — 100 km southwest of Moscow. People come here from all over Russia to learn how to live and become "true" Russians. When they join the Village of Fools, the new residents abandon all their former rights and agree to obey Mikhail Morozov’s strict rules. “What we have here is a society that respects the vertical of power, this is what our country needs most of all,” says Morozov, quoting his idol President Vladimir Putin. The whole spectrum of power — political, spiritual, and administrative — is represented in the village and people gather for semi-private meetings with Morozov. They discuss the future of Russia, their ambitions, and their goals. For God, Tsar and the Fatherland shows what drives Russian patriotism today and why these citizens are against democracy.
