Stand *** (2014, Renat Shuteev, Andrey Kurganov, Andrey Koshman, Ekaterina Rusnak) – Classic Movie Review 13,735

Director Jonathan Taïeb’s urgent 2014 French film Stand follows a young gay couple’s search for the truth about a homophobic crime in Russia.

After taking a wrong turn in their car in Moscow, a young gay Russian couple witnesses what they believe is a vicious gay bashing. Their quandary over what to do about it propels them into ever more dangerous territory. Vlad (Andrey Kurganov) wants to drive on, especially as, after slowing down sharply, one of the attackers begins to attack their vehicle. But Anton (Renat Shuteev) wants to get out of the car and help. Yet Vlad makes Anton stay the car, and drives on.

They learn from an emergency doctor that a young guy tortured to death was found where they were driving through the same day.

Anton searches his computer and finds that many lynchings of homosexuals were filmed, shown online and viewed by thousands of fans.

For Anton, the burden of what they may have witnessed outweighs Vlad (Andrey Kurganov)’s fear of dangerously probing too deeply into the incident. When the police prove indifferent, Anton talks his sceptical lover into launching their own amateur investigation. Their risky search for the truth has unexpected – and grim – consequences in this dark and suspenseful drama that comments powerfully and eloquently on the ongoing mistreatment of LGBT people in Russia.

Director Jonathan Taïeb’s 2014 film Stand is hellishly grim and gruelling, though extremely impactful, very carefully made, intelligently and thoughtfully written, and compellingly acted, especially by Renat Shuteev as Anton, as well as Andrey Kurganov as Vlad, who convince as a loving gay couple with different perspectives. It is engrossing and suspenseful, and says all the right things in a complex and challenging way, but ultimately it is so hard to watch that it is impossible to imagine anyone saying they enjoyed it. But then that is the whole point.

Stand is upsetting, but to be greatly respected and admired, and taken notice of. The battle goes on.

Runtime 87 minutes.

© Derek Winnert 2025 – Classic Movie Review 13,735

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