5 Days of War

{{Expand Russian|topic=cult|5 дней в августе|date=September 2012}}

{{Infobox film

| name = 5 Days of War

| image = Georgia-renny-harlin.jpg

| caption = Official teaser poster

| producer = Renny Harlin
George Lascu
David Imedo
Mirza Davitaia
Koba Nakopia

| writer = Mikko Alanne
David Battle

| starring = Andy García
Val Kilmer
Richard Coyle
Emmanuelle Chriqui
Rupert Friend
Johnathon Schaech
Dean Cain
Rade Šerbedžija
Antje Traue
Heather Graham
Mikheil Gomiashvili
Mikko Nousiainen

| music = Trevor Rabin

| cinematography = Checco Varese

| editing = Brian Berdan

| studio = RexMedia

| distributor = Anchor Bay Entertainment (US)

| released = {{Film date|2011|6|5|Georgia}}

| runtime = 113 minutes

| country = United States

| language = English
Georgian
Russian

| budget = $12 million

| gross = $316,944{{cite web|title=5 DAYS OF WAR|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=5daysofwar.htm|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=December 25, 2012}}

}}

5 Days of War is a 2011 war film directed by Renny Harlin.{{cite book |title=International Film Guide 2012 |first=Ian Hayden |last=Smith |year= 2012 |isbn= 978-1908215017 |page= 122}} The story is about the Russo-Georgian War{{cite web|url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/movies/Renny+Harlin-10251.html | title=Renny Harlin Exclusive Interview | date=June 14, 2011 |access-date=June 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616142048/http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/movies/Renny+Harlin-10251.html |archive-date=June 16, 2011}} over the Russian-backed breakaway autonomous republic of South Ossetia in Georgia, including the events leading up to the conflict.

The film was released in Georgia as 5 Days of August, and in other countries as 5 Days of War and also City on Fire.

Plot

In 2007, during the Iraq War, a Georgian contingent of the coalition forces saves the life of American reporter Thomas Anders (Rupert Friend), although one of his colleagues (Heather Graham) is killed in the process. One year later, in 2008, he returns to Los Angeles, California but soon goes to Georgia on the advice of some of his friends in Tbilisi, who suspect that a large conflict is brewing. He, along with his cameraman Sebastian Ganz (Richard Coyle), delve deeper into Georgian life as conflict escalates and they get caught in the crossfire when an air raid strikes a local wedding they stumble upon. With members of the wedding party (Emmanuelle Chriqui), and the help of a Georgian soldier (Johnathon Schaech) who had earlier saved them in Iraq, their mission becomes getting their footage of an atrocity by Russian irregulars out of the country. But they find themselves faced with international apathy due to the opening of the 2008 Olympic Games. Their flight leads them to the Gori.

The film ends with a long series of testimonials from Georgian citizens who lost family members during the conflict.

Cast

Rupert Friend as Thomas Anders, an American reporter
Emmanuelle Chriqui as Tatia, a young Georgian woman
Richard Coyle as Sebastian Ganz, an English reporter
Heather Graham as Miriam, an American reporter in Iraq
Johnathon Schaech as Rezo Avaliani, a young Georgian officer
Rade Serbedzija as Col. Alexandr Demidov
Andy García as Mikheil Saakashvili, the President of Georgia
Val Kilmer as "Dutchman", a journalist{{cite news|url=http://georgiandaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15349&Itemid=134|title=Georgia: Hollywood takes over Tbilisi for film about war with Russia|last1=Lomsadze|first1=Giorgi|first2=Sophia |last2=Mizante |date=October 21, 2009|publisher=Georgian Daily reprinted from Eurasianet.org|access-date=June 6, 2011}}
Mikko Nousiainen as Daniil
Mikheil Gomiashvili as Anton Medoev, father of Tatia{{cite web |url= https://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/1737636/Mikheil-Gomiashvili |title= Mikheil Gomiashvili |url-status= dead |access-date= 2017-03-04 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160305013119/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/1737636/Mikheil-Gomiashvili |department= Movies & TV Dept. |work= The New York Times |date= 2016 |archive-date= 2016-03-05 }}
Ani Imnadze as Sofi Medoev
Antje Traue as Zoe, an American reporter
Kenneth Cranham as Michael Stilton, an English war reporter
Dean Cain as Chris Bailot, secretary of Saakashvili
Sergo Shvedkov as Temur Iakobashvili, Georgian Minister of Reintegration
Steven Robertson as Davit Kezerashvili, Georgian Defense Minister
Alan McKenna as Alexander Lomaia, Georgian Representative to the U.N.
Malkhaz Abuladze as Mayor of Tbilisi, Giorgi Ugulava
Marshall Manesh as Lech Kaczyński, President of Poland, Chairman of the delegation leaders of the former Eastern bloc
Givi Sikharulidze as Valdas Adamkus, President of Lithuania
Zura Tsintsqiladze as Valdis Zatlers, President of Latvia

Production

Filming started in October 2009, in Tbilisi. Filming took 36 days with a budget of 12 million dollars.{{cite web|first=Luke |last=Savage |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/938756/renny_harlin_interview_5_days_of_war_the_long_kiss_goodnight_and_directing_lowbudget_war_films.html |title=Renny Harlin interview: 5 Days Of War, The Long Kiss Goodnight, and directing low-budget war films |date=27 May 2009 |access-date=June 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722200203/http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/938756/renny_harlin_interview_5_days_of_war_the_long_kiss_goodnight_and_directing_lowbudget_war_films.html |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |url-status=live }}

According to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, the film was not financed by the Georgian government; however one of the producers, David Imedashvili, said that the initial funding for the project came from a Georgian government fund.{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1944601,00.html?xid=rss-arts|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130923234244/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1944601,00.html?xid=rss-arts|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 23, 2013|title=Russia and Georgia Go to War Again — on Screen|last=Shuster|first=Simon|date=December 4, 2009|magazine=Time|access-date=July 1, 2011}} According to Georgian media the movie was financed by Koba Nakopia,{{cite web |url=http://www.media.ge/en/node/41573 |title=Media.ge |publisher=Media.ge |access-date=February 14, 2018 |archive-date=February 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215023711/http://www.media.ge/en/node/41573 |url-status=dead }} a parliamentarian from the ruling United National Movement{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=157&cevri_id=1908 |title=საქართველოს პარლამენტი |publisher=Parliament.ge |access-date=February 14, 2018}} party of Saakashvili. Also credited as producer are director Renny Harlin, George Lascu and Mirza Davitaia, who served as Georgian State Minister for "diaspora issues" from 2009 to 2012, who at the time of filming was the Georgian Deputy Minister, Ministry of Culture, Monument Protection and Sports.{{cite web|url=http://www.thebusinessoffilmdaily.com/cannes2010/D8_S2.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911222821/http://www.thebusinessoffilmdaily.com/cannes2010/D8_S2.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 11, 2012|title=Cannes - 19th May|work=www.thebusinessoffilmdaily.com|access-date=May 10, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2011/06/film-georgia |title=Hollywood's take on the Russia-Georgia war |date=June 21, 2011 |publisher=economist.com |access-date=July 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624021704/https://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2011/06/film-georgia |archive-date=June 24, 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=5 Days of August: High on beauty, short on substance?|url=http://georgianamerica.com/eng/news/5_days_of_august__high_on_beauty__short_on_substance_3011|work=Georgian America|publisher=Georgia Today|access-date=August 19, 2011|archive-date=March 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320192205/http://georgianamerica.com/eng/news/5_days_of_august__high_on_beauty__short_on_substance_3011|url-status=dead}}

One of the buildings of the Georgian Presidential administration was used for filming parts of 5 Days of War. Some members of the special effects team were Russian and had previously worked on Night Watch. The military equipment and personnel used in the film were lent by the Georgian army.{{cite web|url=http://www.heyuguys.co.uk/2011/06/13/an-exclusive-interview-with-renny-harlin/ |title=An Exclusive Interview With Renny Harlin on 5 Days of War |publisher=Heyuguys.co.uk |date=June 13, 2011 |access-date=June 13, 2011}}

Release

The film first premiered in Tbilisi, Georgia on June 5, 2011 and was attended by the participating actors, as well as actress Sharon Stone, who helped raise approximately $1 million during the subsequent fundraiser for the victims of the Russo-Georgian war.[http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/culture/14551.html Sharon Stone's charity evening in Tbilisi collects about $1 million] Retrieved: June 14, 2011{{cite web |url=http://www.zimbio.com/Movie+Premieres/articles/XPua7iUoy9t/5+Days+August+Premiere+Tbilisi+Georgia |title="5 Days of August" Premiere in Tbilisi, Georgia - Movie Premieres |publisher=Zimbio |access-date=June 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728015545/http://www.zimbio.com/Movie+Premieres/articles/XPua7iUoy9t/5+Days+August+Premiere+Tbilisi+Georgia |archive-date=July 28, 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://twitpic.com/57pwh4 |title=Check out the crowd at the premiere of 5 Days of War in Tbili... on Twitpic |publisher=Twitpic.com |date=June 6, 2011 |access-date=June 13, 2011}}
London, England, June 9, 2011{{cite web |url=http://video.uk.msn.com/watch/video/5-days-of-war-premiere-report/xdd629wp |title=5 Days of War - Premiere Report on MSN Video |publisher=Video.uk.msn.com |access-date=June 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611042613/http://video.uk.msn.com/watch/video/5-days-of-war-premiere-report/xdd629wp |archive-date=June 11, 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/movies/features/article_1644637.php/5-Days-of-War-London-Premiere-Pictures |title=5 Days of War London Premiere Pictures |publisher=Monsters and Critics |date=June 9, 2011 |access-date=June 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614085943/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/movies/features/article_1644637.php/5-Days-of-War-London-Premiere-Pictures |archive-date=June 14, 2011 |url-status=dead }}
Georgia, June 6, 2011{{cite web |url=http://www.newsgeorgia.ru/culture/20110606/213979325.html |title=Показ "Пять дней августа" в кинотеатрах Тбилиси продлится около месяца | Культура | Новости-Грузия |publisher=Newsgeorgia.ru |access-date=June 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312085828/http://www.newsgeorgia.ru/culture/20110606/213979325.html |archive-date=March 12, 2012|url-status=dead }}
United States, August 19, 2011{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/film/5_days_of_war/ |title=5 Days of War - Directed by Renny Harlin | Rupert Friend, Val Kilmer, Andy Garcia, Dean Cain, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Heather Graham | Film |publisher=indieWIRE |access-date=June 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624072132/http://www.indiewire.com/film/5_days_of_war/ |archive-date=June 24, 2011 |url-status=live }}
Poland, April 27, 2012{{cite web|url=http://www.filmweb.pl/film/5+dni+wojny-2011-545259 |title=5 dni wojny |publisher=Filmweb.pl |access-date=April 27, 2012}}

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 34% based on 35 reviews, with an average rating of 4.44/10.{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/5_days_of_war/|title=5 Days of War (2011)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=May 10, 2020}} On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 31 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/5-days-of-war|title=5 Days of War Reviews|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=May 10, 2020}} Both Bloomberg and The Washington Post gave it a one-star rating.{{cite news|last=Warner|first=Rick|title=Renny Harlin's Phony Russian Baddies|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-19/renny-harlin-s-russian-baddies-john-sayles-s-amigo-movies.html|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|access-date=August 19, 2011|date=August 19, 2011}}{{cite news|last=DeFore|first=John|title=5 Days of War|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/5-days-of-war,1209292/critic-review.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820161546/http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/5-days-of-war,1209292/critic-review.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 20, 2011|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=August 19, 2011|date=August 19, 2011}}

5 Days of War opened in limited release in the United States on August 19, 2011 in two theatres in New York City and Washington D.C. It grossed $6,254 in its opening weekend.{{cite web|title=5 Days of War (2011)|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=5daysofwar.htm|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=23 September 2011}}

The film was vehemently denounced by the government of South Ossetia with their Minister of Media, Georgiy Kabisov, calling it "Hitler propaganda" and the people that made it as "Nazis." Kabisov also went on to say that the Georgian people and government where "spiteful aggressors" and that the film rejects the "truth" of the war.{{cite web |title=Georgy Kabisov: Everybody knows who is an aggressor – including the West |url=https://cominf.org/en/node/1166487730 |website=State Information Agency |access-date=4 September 2023}}

Home media

5 Days of War was released on DVD (Region 2){{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004KKX1BQ/ |title=Five Days of War [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Rupert Friend, Emmanuelle Chirqui, Richard Coyle, Val Kilmer, Andy Garcia, Renny Harlin, Mikko Alanne: Film & TV |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |date=September 9, 2009 |access-date=June 13, 2011}} and Blu-ray (Region B){{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004KKX198/ |title=Five Days of War [Blu-ray]: Amazon.co.uk: Rupert Friend, Emmanuelle Chirqui, Richard Coyle, Val Kilmer, Andy Garcia, Renny Harlin, Mikko Alanne: Film & TV |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |date=September 9, 2009|access-date=June 13, 2011}} on June 13, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.heyuguys.co.uk/2011/06/13/5-days-of-war-dvd-review/ |title=5 Days of War – DVD Review |publisher=Heyuguys.co.uk |date=June 13, 2011 |access-date=June 13, 2011}} The DVD is a one-disc set. The Blu-ray is a one-disc set that includes DTS-HD 5.1 sound, as well as subtitles, in English, German and French.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0052PKJE0 |title=5 Days of War|website=Amazon Germany |access-date=June 9, 2011}}

References

Bibliography

[http://www.erjournal.ru/journals_n/1354741456.pdf Fedorov, Alexander. The Analysis of Stereotypes of Politically Engaged Media Texts in Media Studies in Student Audience (by the Example of Renny Harlin’s films "Born American" (1986) and "Five Days of War" (2011)]