The Search

In 1996, after 18 months of war and tens of thousands of dead, the Russian army

withdrew from Chetchenie. Peace only lasted three years.

On August 9, 1999, the dying Russian President Yeltsine

appoints a then unknown man to the post of Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin.

Three weeks later, unclaimed attacks shake Moscow.

Russia attributes them to Chechen separatists.

A few days later, the Russian army goes into action.

Officially called: "Operation anti-terrorist"

The second Chechen war begins.

Damn...

What is this shit?!

I don't understand. Damn, why doesn't it work?

Why doesn't it work.

What the shit, a lid.

So...

Welcome.

Welcome to a big country of shit fuck...

Chechnya!

Well, there's not much happening because...

We arrived a little after the battle.

But I'll try to find people.

What a crappy country.

Hi, guys!

Ah, there. There's something. We'll get closer.

And so as I said.

Welcome to the crappiest place...

In the world!

Where you don't want to be and you don't want to be seen.

Hi, guys!

Anyway...

You'll never see what's happening here,

because our beloved President will say...

To all... That we found peace here.

But we don't care for peace...

so we make war.

Long live Great Russia and its brave army!

Hurray, hurray, hurray, damn!

So here you will see a live interview.

As if you were there.

Comrades arrested Cobra terrorists.

Obviously terrorists.

This is a dangerous mission.

Hi, guys!

Hi!

What do you want?

- What I want? - Yes!

I want to go home. Shit!

Live. Kiss. Drink. Shit!

What are you filming?

Nothing. The war.

The war? So come here.

Come here. Everything here is real.

We will show him war.

- You'll see. - I'm watching!

There. They just arrested terrorists.

Elite Chechen separatists.

The elite, shit!

- What do you think? - He has a good head, shit.

- Don't touch me! - We're good people!

You are cowards. You're shouting at women.

What?

Oh. Horrible!

I had to aim for the balls.

Right, you're snipers? Or not?

- You're welcome... - I said don't touch!

- I'm begging you! - Shut up, bitch!

My son. Don't you have a family?

Hey guys, look. He's praying!

Look. Shit. He's praying!

- Are you kidding me? - You are terrorists!

Shut up!

- Are you kidding me? - Rebel motherfuckers!

Is he mad or what?

Calm the fuck!

What the hell are you doing?

He makes his prayer, that's what he did!

No, what are you doing!

You're praying?

You're praying to your God, shit?

Go ahead, go ahead!

There damn, it's me you're going to pray to!

One! Shut up!

- I said shut up! - Come on, come on. Shoot!

- Stop! - Shoot!

Two!

You are murderers!

You are murderers!

Shut up!

Mom!

Mom!

There then. You just saw...

A successful anti-terrorist operation!

It's very simple.

- Query the kid. - We'll interrogate him. yes!

Look at her.

No!

You're welcome!

Go see.

No, please! I am begging you! Please!

Shut up, bitch!

And, that's the end of the fucking!

You are murderers!

Go see.

No!

No, please! I'm begging you, no!

All is well. There's nobody.

There is a Chechen proverb:

"When a bear decides to eat her baby, before killing it,

she dips it into the mud."

That's what they did.

They said we were spies, terrorists.

They took everything we had on us.

Papers, money, gold, jewelry...

Then they ordered us to follow them.

I understood that it was the end for us.

Noura headed towards them and she begged:

"Boys, what are you doing?

Don't you have a mother?

What do you want?"

"This is what we want!" shouted one of them.

And they started shooting.

I saw Larissa's head break.

Then I felt a bullet enter my body...

And I lost consciousness.

When I woke up...

I had a terrible pain in my feet.

I smelled smoke and gas.

We were under burning mattresses.

I crawled into a cellar.

Old Russian women who lived there, took me with them.

They took care of me.

They saved my life.

There were still people in our neighborhood...

I don't know what happened to them.

But I fear the worst...

Because of "SOBR", the unit of the Russian army...

Which controls the entire area around the "54" school.

It's them...

It's them who have killed us.

Noura...

Larissa...

Me.

Nazran, Republic of Ingushetia, Russian federation.

22 miles from the Chechen border.

I'm fine. How are you?

Yes, I was told but I was not in the office this morning

Yes, I'm fine, don't worry.

No, I forgot to call her back,

I've a lot of work.

Yes, I know. Listen Mom, it's just the New Year's eve.

Okay, I'll call her.

Yes, kisses.

You told him what?

That if she wanted to date me...

City of Perm 14 miles inside the Russian border

she had to kiss his girlfriend.

That's rock'n'roll.

And she said what?

Nothing.

But you really said that?

Of course not, are you stupid or what?

I'll have a Coke. Want one?

No thanks.

Here. I'll be quick.

Go ahead.

Hello, I want a Coke.

Hello. Do you have papers?

Just a second...

So...

Is it yours?

No. It's not mine.

- Don't lie to me! - I swear.

Lift up your arms!

Empty your pockets.

The second!

That's not yours either?

That's mine.

Well, perfect.

You're coming with us.

And chocolate.

Gvozdiov Nicolai!

You know what you're risking?

No.

How old are you?

Nineteen.

You're too young to go to prison.

You have nothing against the army?

No.

You know what? Wait in the hallway.

I'll see what I can do for you.

Thank you.

Hadji!

Vakha!

Hadji!

Allah is great and powerful.

Lord have mercy on my father and my mother.

Grant them Paradise.

Let my brothers be alive.

Give me the strength to find them.

Hey, little guy! Where're you going?