It’s difficult to put into words what this film is about. It seems like a challenging project to undertake, especially considering its modest production values – no expensive special effects or large cast here. Instead, it's a straightforward drama exploring the space between two distinct ideologies that people currently embrace. Historically, films tackling religious themes haven’t always been well-received, and I don’t know if this one has generated any controversy, but what I do know is that it incorporates a religion into its narrative that might be considered problematic. I don't necessarily object to the concept itself. However, this film proved frustrating. It doesn’t seem intended to promote or denounce religious beliefs; it simply avoids taking a clear stance. This isn’t a balanced approach. Those who hold faith may find fault with what they perceive as inaccuracies, while those without faith might feel their patience tested. There were numerous opportunities for the story to take a more conventional route, but it stubbornly resisted doing so, meandering along and extending the runtime to almost two hours. The narrative centers on Venya, a high school student who has recently begun reading the Bible. He and his mother had previously shown no interest in religion, but now he believes he’s found something meaningful. However, his newfound faith begins to affect everyone and everything around him, leading to consequences for his school. He quickly becomes an antagonist in the eyes of many, though he does have one strong supporter. The escalating conflict with his biology teacher adds another layer of tension, and the story details how far this rivalry goes and ultimately resolves itself. > ❝I wish he collected stamps or jerked off all the time.❞ Venya's unwavering faith in a centuries-old book reminded me of someone I know personally. He tends to accept everything he reads from books published decades ago. Scientific knowledge evolves constantly; by the time a book is printed and distributed, new theories may already have been proven. This is what we often argue about – that he’s learning outdated information. Two thousand years ago, democracy didn't exist. This religious text promoted uniform rules worldwide. Now times are different, and these old texts often seem illogical, with the exception of the moral lessons they impart. The advice to not believe everything you read is particularly relevant here. The film is an adaptation of a German play and was filmed in just one month. Many of the actors were making their debut on screen. There’s nothing to criticize about the filmmaking itself; the cinematography, acting, dialogue, direction, and music are all excellent. However, the story refuses to commit to either of the themes it explores, frustrating viewers by withholding what they expect. This makes it a film best suited for a single viewing. Given its storyline and ending, it's unlikely anyone would want to see it again. I held out hope for a significant plot twist until the very end! It did arrive, but I was disappointed with how things concluded. There were also some secondary themes present, such as homosexuality and school politics. As this is a Russian film, filmmakers face numerous restrictions regarding content, so I understand the choices made in its production. Even so, it’s only an above-average film in my estimation. It's not a bad movie by any means; you might even enjoy it more than I did, but I'm not convinced. At least it was unique and dared to address social issues facing the nation, something many contemporary Russian films avoid. I won’t necessarily recommend it, but don’t dismiss it outright. Research it yourself and decide if it’s worth your time. _6/10_

Source on TMDB