YMMV / Brother (1997)

• Alternate Character Interpretation: Danila claims to have been a clerk in the war, but his talent for violence suggests otherwise, and it's heavily implied (especially in the sequel) that he saw heavy combat that he would rather forget about. Considering the atrocities Chechen terrorists committed against Russian soldiers, Danila's dislike for some ethnicities is understandable. (It should be noted that, while Danila isn't shy to tell people to their faces that he hates them, the only people he kills in the film are criminals, who deserved it).
• Awesome Music: Plenty of, courtesy of a Russian rock-heavy soundtrack. Just listen to the opening track, "Kry'lya" ("Wings"), which sets the film's melancholic tone.
• Cult Classic: A seminal film in Russian culture, and probably the defining movie of The '90s; often quoted, referenced and imitated, with its soundtrack and fashion both enjoying high popularity.
• Diagnosed by the Audience: There's something decidedly "off" about Danila. He's quiet, socially awkward, and unbothered by death and violence. At least some of it stems from his wartime trauma.
• Memetic Mutation: The film was the Trope Maker for many clichés of The New Russia cinema, and many of its quotes (including Danila's insulting one-liners) have become popular sayings.
• Misaimed Fandom: While Danila has many admirable qualities, a large percentage of young Russian men find his xenophobia and dislike of Western culture commendable.
• Values Dissonance: Danila's xenophobia was pretty bad for the 1990s, and is way more offensive 20+ years on.

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