Tom Hardy adapts thick Russian accent and plays a driven secret police agent investigating a serial killer in his latest film Child 44. But just as it opens this week, Russia reacts disapprovingly and bans it in theaters.
Hollywood's latest serial killer thriller Child 44 was set to be released worldwide this week, but things got awry as the film's screening was cancelled in Russia. Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky reportedly lashed out that the film depicted their country as dark and shadowy. He further commented that the film distorted some political and historical facts.
Indeed, the film is an adaptation of Tom Rob Smith's book of the same name, inspired by the investigation on one of the Soviet Russia's most notorious and prolific killer, Andrei Chikatilo. Set in Stalin-era 1953, Tom Hardy plays the main protagonist Leo Demidov, who leads the investigation. The investigation is complicated enough, with the suspect's crimes spanning decades before it was discovered. But the system's corrupt and politically-laden ways is making Demidov's job, and life, more difficult as rivals and power-hungry higher ups focus on politics instead of justice. Demidov has to cut through a lot of bureaucracy and struggle to solve the crime at the risk of losing his status, name, power, and even his own wife.
To prepare for Child 44, Tom Hardy and an ensemble cast of great actors adapted thick Russian accents to give it an authentic Soviet feel. Even beyond the Russian slur, Hardy comes off great and played his character in earnest. The set was shot partly in celluloid and in some parts of Prague to complete the dark, shadowy atmosphere.
The film may be banned in Russia, but Tom Hardy and co-star Noomi Rapace will be attending its London screening this week. Directed by Daniel Espinosa for Summit Entertainment (Lionsgate) Child 44 is set to hit UK theaters this Friday.
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