In 2006 the Federal Security Service of Russia (ex-KGB) set up a prize for ‘arts and literature'. Last year, the blockbuster ‘Apocalypse Code' was the winner of Best Film category. Not unique in its message, the film is one of many cultural products that glorify the Russian security agency released each year, some of them requested to be made by the FSB itself.
Commentary from Alexei Roschin, Moscow
The Countdown' didn't bother hiding that it was made
at the request of the FSB. It shows brave heroes releasing an entire circus -
without killing anyone - held hostage by terrorists. The film was made shortly
after Nord-Ost [when Chechens held hundreds hostage in a theatre in Moscow in 2002. The
intervention of the FSB resulted in a bloodbath]. The FSB seems to have found a
good way to improve its reputation while also filling its pockets. They've
created a parallel universe where they're fearless heroes saving innocent
civilians and shooting terrorists left and right. Either they're schizophrenic
or they're marking their territory."