Diagnosis: Dissent

2023 [UKRAINIAN]

Drama / History / Thriller

3
IMDb Rating 7.6/10 10 849 849

Plot summary

The protagonist Andrii Dovzhenko finds out a horrible truth, that has been hidden in USSR for years - most of those accused of «anti-Soviet propaganda» were never sent to prison, but to special psychiatric hospitals with a diagnosis of "slow progressive schizophrenia". Andrii finds himself in a real hell of punitive psychiatry and faces a difficult choice - to cooperate with the KGB and return to his family, or to reveal the truth about dissidents tortured in such psychiatric hospitals. The script was based on the memoirs of Soviet dissidents who faced the brutality of a totalitarian system that used so-called "punitive psychiatry" as a weapon against free thought.

Director

Denis Tarasov Photo
Denis Tarasov

Top cast

Oleg Shtefanko Photo
Oleg Shtefanko as Pastor
Artyom Martynishin Photo
Artyom Martynishin as Orderly Tovstun
Ostap Stupka Photo
Ostap Stupka as Mykola Khudimchuk
Oles Katsion Photo
Oles Katsion as Nurse Levchenko
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
1.07 GB
1280*536
Ukrainian 2.0
NR
Subtitles uk  us  
24 fps
1 hr 59 min
Seeds 5
2.19 GB
1920*804
Ukrainian 5.1
NR
Subtitles uk  us  
24 fps
1 hr 59 min
Seeds 20

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by bohdanp 10 / 10

A magnificent film about the horrific events of the Soviet policy of 'equality' and 'normalcy'

In November 1971, Semen Hluzman prepared an independent forensic psychiatric examination in absentia in the case of General Petro Hryhorenko, which declared the General mentally healthy, contrary to the state point of view of the political regime in the USSR, proved the illegality of the use of repressive psychiatry methods against the General, that he was 'mentally ill' - prepared by specialists from the V. P. Serbsky Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and passed the examination to his American colleagues. In 1972, Semen Hluzman was sentenced (mainly for the said independent examination) to 7 years in concentration camps (in the Perm region), and additionally to 3 years in exile (in the Tyumen region). He served his sentence together with Ivan Svitlychnyi, Yevhen Sverstiuk, and Levko Lukianenko.When you watch the film. You will understand why I wrote it. This does not describe exactly what is happening because the events in the film have been artistically altered. But I think it is based on this moment in Ukrainian history.In general, the film is wonderful. The events are dynamic and interesting. The plot is fascinating. The acting is excellent. But the events are terrible. Nevertheless, we still need to know and remember them in order to resist the repetition of the methods of 'punitive psychiatry' in Russia and other dictatorships.I definitely recommend this film.
Reviewed by vsmith_

It worth to watch it! A good progress of Ukrainian film making

The film is a powerful drama that draws attention to the problem of the use of punitive psychiatry in the USSR.The main character, Andriy Dovzhenko, is faced with a difficult choice: cooperate with the KGB or reveal the truth about the torture of dissidents and ordinary patients in a psychiatric hospital, but at the same time expose his family and himself to blows of the totalitarian system.It is worth noting the excellent acting of Kostyantyn Temlyak, Irma Vitovska and Vitaly Saliy.Kostyantyn Temlyak in the role of Andriy Dovzhenko conveys the deep emotions and internal conflicts of his character, making his struggle with the system extremely convincing.We see how his character changes over time and goes from an internal rebellion, caused by the desire to live a comfortable life for him, not limited by the norms and laws of the society around him, to a struggle with virtually the entire punishment machine and pseudo psychiatry.A wonderfully executed role, a good continuation of the actor's acting after the role of Tychyna in "Slovo-House" movie.Vitaly Saliy in the role of Kozych impresses with his charismatic performance and excellent acting of his character. Indeed, Vitaly is a star of modern Ukrainian cinema; one can only wish him: better choose the projects which he participates in and give preference to higher quality ones.Irma Vitovska in the role of Iryna Lagnovska adds emotional depth and humanity to the film, adds faith that the system can be changed from within.It is also worth noticing the imperfection of the voice acting and speech of the characters: the language of almost all the characters is very "flat", "licked", without features that exist in real life. Almost all the characters communicate in such way and in that language like they were playing on the stage of an academic theater; the texture of the language is very smoothed, there are no roughnesses, differences in both the sound range and vocabulary. Sometimes it seems that most of the characters speak in the same tone, as if they were voiced by a single voice actor. Some "hooks" in pronunciation, different tones, phrases, words, different pronunciation, possible defects or features of diction, etc. Are missing. The characters who take part in the movie belong to completely different layers of society, different social groups but, in fact, communicate in a very similar language and in the same frequency range. There are almost no mats and profanity, which is very surprising for those conditions and times. This makes the dialogues less natural and somewhat detracts from the overall positive impression of the film.The problem of character voice acting, their speech and pronunciation (and sometimes their dialogues) is one of the most common problems of Ukrainian cinema, which needs attention and improvement.And the examples of Pamfir and Luxemburg-Luxembourg show that there is no need to be afraid to use more lively language in movies.In addition, there are a couple of "heroic" monologues, which do not look very natural and appropriate.It is worth noting the excellent cinematography and sound work. The interiors of the 1970s of the Soviet Union are also quite well represented.The atmosphere of a special medical institution is perfectly embodied, and the soundtrack in the scenes in the hospital and throughout the movie as a whole sets the right mood and color of the events taking place.In general, we can say that this movie will not leave any viewer indifferent, because it not only highlights the tragic, but important for understanding, pages of life in a totalitarian country, but also makes you think about the value of freedom and human dignity.I recommend watching it. Worthy of 8/10 points within the scope of Ukrainian cinematography.Watch Ukrainian movies!
Reviewed by shdwstar-88476 9 / 10

You're living under that if you live in the US.

Healthcare, particularly the addiction for-profit industry is doing that to Americans right now. You should really watch this movie and understand that. Then you should demand that all drugs be sold just like alcohol for your own sake. There's some parts of the movie that really hit the point more so than others but it really goes to show that this type of behavior is not isolated and the corruption is inherent to all systems of government. People like to think that's bad but no it's worse than that and you should do everything you can to never have to experience it while you still have a chance.
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