Racketeer (Akhan Satayev, 2007): Kazakhstan

Reviewed by Chloe Seaman. Viewed at The Santa Barbara Film Festival.

The film called Racketeer is a message to all those involved in crime

To stop their ways before they cross the line.

The story of Sayan is a cold one

Never in his life besides as a kid did it look fun

Growing up as a talented young boxer in Kazakhstan

He soon entered the streets and ran

From all he knew and all he dreamed to be

To work with a gang and never be free.

The loss of his brother in this risky game

Made him think about the one to blame

But there really is no feeling

No conscience, no being

Because in the end

He can’t pretend

And the only game he knows is the only game he will ever know.

 

The film was cold

Just like the way Sayan narrates his life

Everything was straightforward

As if without feeling

At the Q & A

Their message was clear

To all those involved in crime

Stop

Or the end will be near.

After the haunting last shot

And the chilling voice over on top of it

There was nothing.

It was explained that this was the way it would end

To not over romanticize the story

Nothing was heartfelt from the character’s point of view

But the editing was fast

There were pauses when characters were introduced

With lighting bolt music

And the multiple scenes of characters

Involving crime

Against a white background

As if in a dream

Or a nightmare

Straightforward and haunting

Racketeer is a film with a message and a story.