THE RIDER NAMED DEATH
aka VSADNIK PO IMENI SMERT'

Year: 2004
USA: Kino International
Cast: Andrei Panin, Ksenia Rappoport, Dmytry Dyuzhev, Artem Semakin, Anastasia Makeeva, Rostislav Bershauer, Aleksy Kazakov, Vasiliy Zotov, Sergei Aleksandrovich, Valery Storozhik
Director: Karen Shakhnazarov
Country: Russia
Language: Russian (English subtitles)
USA: 106 mins
USA Release Date: 18 March 2005 (Limited Release)

US Distributor

Synopsis

At the start of the 20th century, Russia was shocked by a series of cold-blooded murders. These killings were carried out by the "fighting organization." This was a socialist revolutionary group that directed acts of terrorism against various high officials of the state in different cities.

The group is headed by Georges (Andre Panin) and includes bomb maker Erna (Ksenia Rappoport), who is devoted to him, as well as bomb throwers Vanya (Artem Semakin), Henry and Fyodor. Attempting to achieve their main objective - the murder of Grand Duke Sergey Aleksandrovich (Vasiliy Zotov) - the unfolding story reveals their feelings and aspirations.

They are terrorists for a variety of reasons: for love, revenge, principles and a belief in a better future. As their attempts on the Grand Duke's life fall short, members of the organization disappear. Georges suddenly realizes that he would do anything to kill the Duke...