Moloch

On the logic of sovereignty & theological-irrational structure of the power in modern totalitarian regimes. Hitler is insignificant, they're a bunch of losers, "zeros" as Braun says, but it doesn't matter at all. Fascist machinery is that detachment between the ruler and the machinery, a rule of "nobody" as Arendt emphasizes. What is exaggerated is their madness. They're "normal" people like us in their daily lives, that's what makes it so terrible. Sokurov could've made this aspect more subtle.

A fascinating take on Hitler which, in many ways, deflates 'serious' films like Downfall by showing a clearly deluded individual. The film however suffers from the dangers of minimalist cinema; passages of contemplation do not provide a true sense of contemplation, or go further with the idea aside from Hitler being slightly insane, dragging the narrative for far too long with unnecessarily long takes. It's also very stagey which puts you at arm's length from it in a negative way.

Part of Sokurov's tetralogy on Power over Man, prortraying Hitler

Faust notwithstanding, Sokurov's men-of-power films are not among his great works, despite displaying his polystylistic range. Moloch is the worst of the series because Hitler is reduced to a caricature of a demented madman. Mozgovoy is fine as Hitler, and there are some good moments between him and Rufanov(Braun), but it doesn't really show much insight until its final moments when Hitler admits the impossible: that his regime will conquer death. It's well made, but it lacks depth and scope.