Leviathan

Main Plot

"Leviathan," directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev, is a drama set in a small coastal town in Russia. The story revolves around Kolya, a mechanic who lives with his wife Lilya and teenage son Roma. Kolya's life takes a tumultuous turn when the corrupt local mayor, Vadim, attempts to seize his land and house for a development project. Kolya enlists the help of his old friend Dmitri, a lawyer from Moscow, to fight the expropriation through the legal system. As the battle against the bureaucratic and corrupt authorities intensifies, Kolya's personal life begins to unravel, revealing deep-seated issues and strained relationships. The film explores themes of power, corruption, and the individual's struggle against an indifferent and often hostile system. Through its stark and haunting narrative, "Leviathan" paints a bleak picture of contemporary Russian society and the human condition.

Characters

• Aleksey Serebryakov plays Kolya, a mechanic fighting against corrupt officials trying to seize his property, highlighting themes of power and injustice.
• Elena Lyadova plays Lilya, the wife of protagonist Kolya. Her strained relationships and tragic fate highlight the personal toll of corruption and injustice in the story.
• Roman Madyanov plays Vadim Shelevyat, a corrupt mayor who exploits his power to seize land from the protagonist, driving the central conflict.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of Andrey Zvyagintsev's film "Leviathan," the protagonist, Kolya, faces the complete disintegration of his life. After a series of tragic events, including the death of his wife Lilya, Kolya is wrongfully convicted of her murder. The corrupt mayor, Vadim, who has been trying to seize Kolya's land throughout the film, succeeds in his plan. Kolya's house is demolished, and a church is built on the land, symbolizing the collusion between the church and state. The film ends with Kolya in prison, his son Roma left without a family, and the corrupt officials continuing their lives unscathed. This bleak ending underscores the themes of powerlessness and corruption, illustrating the individual's struggle against an oppressive system. The final scenes emphasize the futility of Kolya's fight and the pervasive nature of institutional corruption, leaving a stark commentary on the socio-political landscape.