Theatrum No. II (XII) / 2021
Ostrovul – madness for Christ, the crucifixion of the old man and a defiance of the lukewarm spirit
Elena Dulgheru The film Ostrovul (Pavel Lunghin, 2006) is analysed from the perspective of the director’s biographical paradox, the essential contribution of debut screenwriter Dmitri Sobolev, and its appeal to the Christian Orthodox audience. Its success paved the way for a whole wave of Russian religious cinema, and the story of the monk Anatoly, structured around the triad of betrayal, atonement and forgiveness, is examined scene by scene.