Once In The Desert Backdrop Blur
Once In The Desert Poster

Once In The Desert

The films follows a Syrian War Explosive Ordnance Disposal team who are targeted by ISIS militants while they prepare the recently liberated historic site of Palmyra to hold a symbolic concert of the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra. The peacekeeping event can only be held in Palmyra that has been severely damaged by the terrorists only if the ancient city and the roads leading to it are defused. The EOD team clears the way one kilometer at a time. But the closer they get to the center of Palmyra, the more destructive the explosives. Tension grows between the young team Captain and the most experienced of the EOD experts. And yet, despite their differences, when the team falls into an ambush and the Captain goes missing, it’s the experienced sapper that sets out to search for him.

Top Cast

  • Aleksandr Robak

    Aleksandr Robak

  • Pavel Chinaryov

    Pavel Chinaryov

  • Aleksandr Metelkin

    Aleksandr Metelkin

  • Ekaterina Nesterova

    Ekaterina Nesterova

  • Igor Gordin

    Igor Gordin

  • Polina Pushkaruk

    Polina Pushkaruk

  • Vitaliya Kornienko

    Vitaliya Kornienko

  • Anna Potebnya

    Anna Potebnya

  • Oleg Vasilkov

    Oleg Vasilkov

Overview

The films follows a Syrian War Explosive Ordnance Disposal team who are targeted by ISIS militants while they prepare the recently liberated historic site of Palmyra to hold a symbolic concert of the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra. The peacekeeping event can only be held in Palmyra that has been severely damaged by the terrorists only if the ancient city and the roads leading to it are defused. The EOD team clears the way one kilometer at a time. But the closer they get to the center of Palmyra, the more destructive the explosives. Tension grows between the young team Captain and the most experienced of the EOD experts. And yet, despite their differences, when the team falls into an ambush and the Captain goes missing, it’s the experienced sapper that sets out to search for him.

Rating

7.0 / 10
29 Reviews
1 Popular

1 Reviews

  • MovieGuys
    MovieGuys
    8 Jan 17, 2023

    Once in the Desert, like so many Russian war films, takes a down to earth glimpse at the awfulness of war. This film does not glorify war, it does not glamorise it.Certainly, sacrifice is seen as heroic but in a very modest sense. In terms of storytelling, this is a solid film but it does feel a little loose in the middle. That said, it bring the threads together, in a way that makes sense and is, in its own way, rather poignant and sad. Special effects and cinematography are outstanding.The full horror and effects of explosions, are brutally articulated. Acting is low key and characters are very believable. In summary, a war film with what is really an anti war message. One that hopes for an end to conflict and renewed peace. Its sad, poignant and should give anyone who glorifies war, pause for thought.

Recommendations

The Last Frontier

The story of the Podolsk cadets’ heroic stand outside Moscow in October 1941. Cadets were sent to the Ilyinsky line, fighting alongside units from the Soviet 43rd Army to hold back the German advance until reinforcements arrived. Hopelessly outnumbered, young men laid down their lives in a battle lasting almost two weeks to obstruct the far superior German forces advancing towards Moscow. Around 3,500 cadets and their commanding officers were sent to hold up the last line of defense outside Moscow. Most of them remained there for eternity.

The Last Frontier

6.6 2020