The Saratov Approach
| Saratov Approach | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Garrett Batty |
| Written by | Garrett Batty |
| Produced by | Garrett Batty Jake Van Wagoner Maclain Nelson Jonathan Turner |
| Starring | Corbin Allred Maclain Nelson Nikita Bogolyubov Alex Veadov |
| Cinematography | Jeremy Prusso |
| Edited by | Connor O'Malley |
| Music by | Robert Allen Elliott |
Production companies | Three Coin Productions Saratov Films |
Release date |
|
| Country | United States |
| Languages | English Russian |
The Saratov Approach is a 2013 American dramatic thriller film written and directed by Garrett Batty. It depicts the 1998 kidnapping of two missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Saratov, Russia. It began a limited release on October 9, 2013, solely in Utah. Subsequently, the film was released throughout the Mormon Corridor.[1] On January 10, 2014, the film began an expanded limited release throughout the United States.[2][3]
Plot
It is March 1998, and two LDS missionaries, Elders Travis Robert Tuttle (Corbin Allred) and Andrew Lee Propst (Maclain Nelson) are serving in southwestern Russia. While they are out in the city of Saratov, the two missionaries are approached by a man named Nikolai (Nikita Bogolyubov), who asks them to teach him and one of his friends about their faith. They enthusiastically agree, take down his address, and plan a day to come by. That night, Elder Propst celebrates his "hump day," the halfway point of his two-year mission.
The next day, the missionaries go to Nikolai's apartment to teach. Propst realizes they forgot a copy of the Book of Mormon to give to Nikolai, but Tuttle convinces him to go anyway and teach without it. When two arrive at Nikolai's apartment, he lets them in; then, Nikolai and another man, Sergei (Alex Veadov), beat them into submission and tie them up. Tuttle is frightened and emotional and tries to convince Sergei to release them, but Sergei gags the elders and he and Nikolai take them to their car and drive to a secret hideout. Propst tries to calm a traumatized Tuttle while in the back of the car. The two are photographed while blindfolded with Sergei holding a gun to their head so they can send it to the United States to demand a ransom. After Tuttle and Propst are handcuffed to pipes in the room, their parents are notified by the church of their kidnapping. U.S. government officials refuse to pay Sergei's demanded ransom of $300,000. Propst's father receives a call from Senator Gordon H. Smith, who informs him that although he isn't working with the FBI or any other agency, he "is doing everything he can," frustrating Propst's father.
On the second day of their captivity, Propst wakes to hear Tuttle reciting sentences that are usually used for teaching those interested in the church. When Propst asks him why he is doing so, he replies that he plans on teaching someone every day. Sergei is gone during the daytime, but Nikolai remains in the house to guard them, usually watching television. He is more compassionate around the elders, even being convinced by Propst to let them be moved from the uncomfortable pipes to the mattress in the room. Afterwards, Tuttle confesses to Propst that he originally decided to go on a mission only to make his father happy, but after learning of how Christ willingly suffered and was crucified, he was glad he chose to serve. When Sergei returns, he yells at Nikolai for moving the elders and then tells the two that he is not a patient man, and is frustrated that the ransom hasn't been paid. The elders realize that the ransom will not be paid, since it would encourage other criminals to start kidnapping many other missionaries for easy money. On the third day, Propst asks Nikolai about a tattoo that Sergei has on his hand. Nikolai reveals Sergei used to be a Russian Navy hero many years earlier.
The news of the kidnappings spread throughout the U.S. and the world, with members of the church and people from many other religions praying for the two hostages. The Tuttle family receives a call from Mark Larsen, a former missionary, who reveals he was also kidnapped as a missionary in Argentina years earlier. He explains that over the course of time, the elders will have more hope and faith and start to show compassion for their own captors. Back in Russia, Sergei returns more frustrated than before, and tells the two elders to write their goodbyes. The Propst family receives a letter from the elders stating that they should not pay the ransom. An anonymous donor gives the Propst family a check for the random amount demanded, and they are conflicted on whether to pay or not.
On the fourth day, Propst manages to secretly unlock his handcuffs without Nikolai knowing. Tuttle and Propst devise a plan to overpower their captors and escape. The two pray and prepare to execute their plan, but before Propst can do his part, he considers his role as a missionary and has compassion for Nikolai and Sergei. He then tells Tuttle that they shouldn't try to fight their way out of captivity, and that God has already prepared a plan for them. The two elders put their cuffs back on and remain in the room.
On the fifth day, which falls on a Sunday, Sergei tells them their time is up and prepares to take Tuttle and Propst out of the building. Before doing so, Nikolai confides in the Elders. He confesses his guilt for kidnapping them and tells them that the only reason he helped Sergei was because his girlfriend was pregnant and he didn't have enough money for a family. Sergei had convinced him to make easy money by joining him in kidnapping "rich Christians," but he had never intended for them to be killed. He also lets them know that the tattoo on Sergei's hand means "forever loyal."
Sergei blindfolds the two elders, who remain calm as their kidnapper drives them to a desolate and snowy field. As he prepares to kill them, he notices that the missionaries have drawn markings on their hands similar to his tattoo, giving him pause. He deserts the elders with Nikolai. Tuttle and Propst run away, finding a road and catching a ride to Saratov, overjoyed for their freedom. They arrive in Saratov in the middle of a church meeting, and have emotional reunions with their fellow members. Their families are informed that they have been freed, and that Nikolai and Sergei have been captured by Russian officials. Propst and Tuttle speak over the phone to their families, and then walk out of their church building at the end of the meeting. On-screen dialog informs that the elders decided to finish their missions and were sent to other undisclosed missions in Europe to do so.
Cast
- Corbin Allred as Elder Tuttle
- Maclain Nelson as Elder Propst
- Nikita Bogolyubov as Nikolai
- Alex Veadov as Sergei
- Bart Johnson as Senator Gordon H. Smith
Production
With the release of The Book of Mormon musical, director Garrett Batty sought to produce a more positive film about LDS missionaries. He contacted the real Propst and Tuttle with the intention of making a movie about their experiences in Russia; the two were skeptical at first, but met with Batty and shared their story. Batty wrote the script after talking with Propst and Tuttle, balancing the actual events with his own artistic vision for the film. Production hit multiple snags: Batty underwent heart surgery, and financial backing took a while to manifest.[3] Filming took place in Estonia, Utah, U.S.A.,[4] and Ukraine.[5]
Reception
The Salt Lake Tribune praised the film as having "quietly resolute strength."[4] The film was also praised by Deseret News[6] and Meridian Magazine.[7] The Standard-Examiner called the film "one of the best in the Mormon film genre".[8] In the Bloggernacle, A Motley Vision gave the movie a B+[9] and the Mormon Movie Guy gave the movie an A-; saying: "The Saratov Approach isn't just great Mormon cinema, it's great cinema, period. It skillfully contrasts the darkness of greed and desperation with the ultimate light of compassion and courage. Even though faith in Christ is a key theme, this is a great human story that people will be uplifted by regardless of their beliefs."[10] The Hollywood Reporter described it as "an item best suited to the believers."[11] The Los Angeles Times reached a similar conclusion, calling Saratov "soft and preachy."[12]
Variety reported that the film made "$500,000 in two weeks on only 23 screens."[1] The same article detailed the film's positive reception among younger Latter-day saints, particularly on social media, as well as requests from AMC, Cinemark, and Regal to host the film.[1] Screen Daily reported that Saratov then made $1.4 million after four weeks.[2] It made $2.1 million overall.[13] It was rated PG-13 for violence.[6]
See also
- LDS cinema
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Russia
- Kidnapping of Mormon missionaries in Saratov
References
- ^ a b c Young Mormon Moviegoers Have Faith in Real-Life Pic ‘Saratov Approach’
- ^ a b Saratov to expand nationwide
- ^ a b McBride, Erin Ann (January 24, 2014), ""The Saratov Approach" Breaks Records and Molds", Meridian Magazine
- ^ a b Means, Sean P. (October 8, 2013). "Movie review: 'Saratov Approach' a moving drama of fear and faith". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ Gengler, Hailey (2014-04-02). "'The Saratov Approach' shatters box office records of previous Mormon films". The Daily Universe. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
- ^ a b Terry, Josh (October 9, 2013). "'Saratov Approach' captures suspense of real-life missionary abduction drama". Deseret News. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ Proctor, Mariah (October 3, 2013). "The Saratov Approach: A Film that Finally Tells the Rest of the Story". Meridian Magazine. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ Salles, Steve (October 9, 2013). "'Saratov Approach' One of the Best in the Mormon Film Genre". Standard-Examiner. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ Review: The Saratov Approach (B+)
- ^ Review: Gritty 'SARATOV APPROACH' Will Inspire Audiences of All Faiths
- ^ Linden, Sheri (9 January 2014). "The Saratov Approach: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Goldstein, Gary (9 January 2014). "Review: 'Saratov Approach' is a spiritual thriller with little soul". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "The Saratov Approach". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2020-03-06.