12 (2007 film)

Plot

The jury decides whether a young Chechen boy is guilty of the murder of his stepfather, a Russian military officer. Initially it seems that the boy was the murderer. However, one of the jurors (Sergei Makovetsky) votes in favour of acquittal. Since the verdict must be rendered unanimously, the jurors review the case, and one by one come to the conclusion that the boy was framed. The murder was performed by criminals involved in the construction business. The discussion is repeatedly interrupted by flashbacks from the boy's wartime childhood.

In the end the foreman states that he was sure the boy did not commit the crime but he will not vote in favour of acquittal since the acquitted boy will be subsequently killed by the same criminals. In addition, the foreman reveals that he is a former intelligence agency officer. After a brief argument, the foreman agrees to join the majority. Later the foreman tells the boy that he will find the murderers.

Cast

Reception

The movie received mixed critical opinion in Russia and abroad. The Venice Film Festival jury defined the movie as "confirmation of his [Mikhalkov's] mastery in exploring and revealing to us, with great humanity and emotion, the complexity of existence". Russian president Vladimir Putin together with the film crew, Chechnya's president Ramzan Kadyrov and Ingushetia's president Murat Zyazikov watched the film in Putin's residence in Novo-Ogarevo. After the screening Putin remarked that the film "brought a tear to the eye".

On the other hand, opposition journalist Zoya Svetova labeled the film as pro-Putin, pointing out that the head juror is a secret service officer, while a juror, supposedly representing a Russian liberal, resembles Russian opposition politician Valeriya Novodvorskaya. Another juror (a television producer), is seen as a caricature of Russian producer Dmitry Lesnevsky.

Awards

On 8 September 2007, the film received a special Golden Lion for the "consistent brilliance" of its work and was praised by many critics at the 64th Venice International Film Festival. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.