Siberian Education is a 2013 drama film based on the book of the same name by Nicolai Lilin, who narrated his own experiences growing up in a criminal community in Transnistria, a breakaway territory of Moldova. The film is directed by Gabriele Salvatores, and stars John Malkovich as the narrator's grandfather, Kuzja, who acts as a mentor to the young gang of boys.
The story takes place in the 1980s, during the last years of the Soviet Union, in a remote region called the Transnistrian Republic. The community of banished criminals is known as the Urkas, who have their own strict code of honor, based on principles of loyalty and respect. The Urkas control all the illegal activities in the region, from smuggling to extortion, and they are feared and respected by the locals.
The film centers on the friendship between two boys, Kolyma and Gagarin, who grow up together in this harsh environment, learning the ways of the Urkas from their elders. Kolyma is the narrator of the story, and he is portrayed as a sensitive and intelligent boy who is torn between his loyalty to his friend and his own moral compass. Gagarin, on the other hand, is more impulsive and prone to violence, eager to prove himself as a true Urka.
As the boys grow older, they start to differ in their interpretation of the Urka code and their place in the community. Kolyma questions the righteousness of the Urkas' actions, especially when innocent people are harmed, while Gagarin embraces the violence and power of the Urkas as a way to gain respect and honor. Their friendship breaks apart, leading to a final confrontation that tests their loyalty and moral values.
The film is praised for its gritty portrayal of a little-known community and its traditions, as well as the strong performances by Malkovich and the young actors who play Kolyma and Gagarin. It's a coming-of-age story that explores the limits of loyalty and the cost of honor in a world where violence and crime are the norm.