BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

02/06/2006

Say 'Da' To Belarus Duo

By V.A. MUSETTO

LONG KNIVES NIGHT/REPORTING FROM THE RABBIT HUTCH

In Russian and Belarussian, with English subtitles. Total running time: 96 minutes. NR (disturbing images). At the Two Boots Pioneer, Avenue A and Third Street.

BANNED in Belarus!

It's little wonder that the documentaries "Long Knives Night" and "Reporting From the Rabbit Hutch," both bitter condemnation of vicious Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko, haven't made it to screens in that country.

The filmmaker, Victor Dashuk, took his life in his hands shooting them - knowing full well that the slightest act of rebellion can land people in a hospital, if not a cemetery.

Not even other Belarus officials are immune. "Long Knives Night" shows elected legislators being locked out of their own offices by Lukashenko's goons.

Some viewers may question the depiction of a real-life incident in which a dog is crucified and sacrificed by Satanists. But the use of the footage represents something called "artistic freedom," a concept in great danger these days - and not just in Belarus.

The amateur-looking films won't win any prizes for style, but they deserve one for bravery.

Source:

http://www.nypost.com/movies/69483.htm