The 2006 film <i>Ostrov</i> (The Island) is a story of religious faith in the bleak Russian north. As the film opens, it is 1942 and the young Russian sailor Anatoly is forced by the Germans to shoot his captain Tikhon. Left for dead, Anatoly washes up on the shore of an island where a monastery is located. He spends the next three decades among the monks trying to atone for the killing of his fri...

Beautiful,bleak location. Excellent cinematography and direction highlights this story of guilt and redemption. Some find it in helping others selflessly. Or devotion to one's higher power. The prayer scenes may have been a bit too long or frequent but overall a good film,story and visual feast.