Two Prosecutors, directed by Sergei Loznitsa, is a compelling depiction of political oppression during the Soviet era and its current parallels in Russia. This well-acted, slow-burning narrative is laced with the suffocating ambiance of the USSR during Stalin's Great Purge, a period when personal freedom was nearly wiped out by authoritarianism.

The opening shot sets the tone with the monotonous opening and closing of a prison door, symbolizing the lack of hope and warmth in the lives of the citizens. Loznitsa, known for his depictions of Russia's bleak reality, successfully paints a chilling portrayal of Russian despotism, then and now, through this film.

The storyline revolves around prisoners and their experiences under tyranny. The plot highlights the injustices and imperfections within the Soviet system designed to suppress any form of resistance. A brave act of defiance against authority leads to repercussions from the depths of provincial prison to Moscow's highest offices.

A bold young prosecutor, Kornev, played by Alexander Kuznetsov, becomes our guide through this labyrinth of oppression. He is met with hostility at every turn, from jail guards to the USSR's general prosecutor. Yet, he remains undaunted, courageously speaking the truth even when the stakes are high, illuminating the tragic irony that he believes he is saving the Marxist revolution that the USSR was supposed to represent.

Loznitsa, unlike the naïve Kornev, is more aware and subtly leads the viewer back to where the journey started: the forbidding prison door. The film, ultimately, is a sharp commentary on life under dictatorship, both under the Soviet rule and the current regime under Vladimir Putin. Although set in the past, Two Prosecutors serves as a mirror reflecting the present state of affairs.