Five Bottles of Vodka

A 2001 Russian film directed and written by Svetlana Baskova, classified as a black comedy with elements of a thriller. The plot delves into the backstage life of an ordinary Moscow bar, where relationships between the owner, his "protection," and employees resemble a family but are rooted in subordination and oppression. The bar owner, Alexander Alexandrovich, known as Sanych (Alexander Maslaev), suffers from alcohol and drug addictions, often drinking to the point of vomiting. Two janitors live in the utility room: one, Mychalkin (Denis Vasiliev), is hunchbacked and possibly mentally retarded, communicating through incoherent mumbling; the other is more astute and nameless (Sergey Pakhomov). The film begins with Mychalkin stealing five bottles of vodka and bringing them to the nameless janitor. Discovering the theft, Sanych suspects both and tries to identify the culprit. The nameless janitor forcibly makes Mychalkin drink vodka, sharing tales of a glamorous life filled with money and cars, then smashes the remaining bottles over his own head while singing The Beatles' "Yesterday." Sanych exploits the janitors, making them constantly clean the bar and terrace. The nameless janitor resists the oppression, promising to "deal with" the boss. A black stripper (Dillon Oloyede), suffering from fatigue and hearing voices, asks Sanych to release him, but Sanych refuses, promising to buy him a car and persuading him to return to work. The stripper agrees, and Sanych vents his anger on the janitors. A "protector" (Vladimir Epifantsev) appears with unusual demands: a virgin, a male virgin, and his own death within three days, threatening Sanych's life if he refuses. Frightened, Sanych agrees. The nameless janitor drowns Mychalkin in a bucket, explaining it as punishment for stealing vodka, and Sanych promises him a bonus. A waitress in a wedding dress (Marina Boltneva) is brought to the bandit as a virgin; he has sex with her and strangles her, calling her Desdemona. The nameless janitor places her body next to Mychalkin's, calling them bride and groom. Sanych forces the nameless janitor to wear a wedding dress and sends him to the bandit as a male virgin; the bandit rapes him, after which Sanych locks the nameless janitor in the basement. On the third day, the bandit sings karaoke, and Sanych strangles him with the microphone cord. Pleased with himself, Sanych drinks to the point of vomiting and falls asleep at the table.