The Racketeer

Section: Elements of Crime
Directed by: Akhan Satayev


Rekitir
Kazakhstan, 2008

Dir.: Akhan Satayev
Scr.: Timur Zhaksilykov
Phot.: Kasan Kidralyev
Ed.: Valeriy Peretyatko
Music: Andrey Lifinskiy
Cast: Sayan Isembayev, Murat Bisembin, Saken Aminov, Mentai Utepbergenov, Assel Sagatova
Format: 35 mm; Color; 80 mins
Language: Russian voice, Hungarian voice over

Opening with black-and-white family photos and driven by an ever-present voice-over by Sayan, the pic outlines the Almaty-based protag's early life, from his boyhood interest in boxing, through a false start with the girl of his dreams, Assel, to the impact of the collapse of the Soviet Union on his father's income and family's status. After a stint in the army and a return to college, Sayan wins a club boxing match and is recruited by local protection racketeer Rulsan. As Sayan becomes Rulsan's key enforcer, money and Assel return to his life. The pic follows Sayan's rise within the outfit and the complications of the brotherhood of gang culture and a milieu where no one can be trusted.

Extensive voice-over recalls its effective use in the Martin Scorsese companion pieces Goodfellas and Casino. Script by Timur Zhaksilykov is hard-jawed, with an authentic eye for criminal mores and organization. Neatly compressed narrative ensures suspense and momentum is maintained to the final scene. Satayev's helming has a workmanlike professionalism, boosted by expert editing that hints at Satayev's experience in commercials. In Kazakhstan alone, the film raked in around $2 million, and other territories in Central Asia also warmly embraced the pic.

See also:
	The Chaser		Gomorrah
	Hand of the Headless Man		The Horseman
	Long Shadows		The Bone Man
	The Moss		Timecrimes