Citizen X Anthropology

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A fascinating and largely forgotten HBO television film from the 1990s, Citizen X tells the true story of the Soviet Union's most notorious and prolific serial killer. Written and directed by Chris Gerolmo, who based the teleplay on Robert Cullen's novel The Killer Department, Citizen X faithfully portrays the rudimentary facts of the case, only making minor adjustments for the sake of smooth storytelling. Although this is primarily an investigative crime film, it is also a top-notch historical and political drama about the USSR in the 1980s and early '90s. The result is one of the most underrated serial killer films in history. A depraved, sadistic serial killer, Andrei Chikatilo (Jeffrey DeMunn) killed at least 52 people over twelve years, …show more content…

Gerolmo stages the murders with commendable restraint, relying on the power of suggestion instead of outright gore. Burakov's gruesome, detailed descriptions of his autopsy findings at the beginning of the film outline the horrors that each victim sustained at Chikatilo's hands, making the sequence more powerful and haunting than a graphic murder scene could be. The only downside to Citizen X is the lack of visual panache. It looks and feels like a television movie, with pedestrian cinematography and basic direction, which also results in dull pacing from time to time. The film's matter-of-factness is a considerable asset more often than not since it does not feel like an overproduced, mainstream Hollywood production, but Citizen X still falls short of its full …show more content…

One of the film's most potent scenes depicts psychiatrist Dr. Alexandr Bukhanovsky (Max von Sydow) reading out his detailed profile of the killer to Chikatilo, which compels the stubborn, closely-guarded murderer to break down and confess to his crimes. The performances are superb, with Citizen X featuring a mix of recognisable actors and little-known performers. Jeffrey DeMunn earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for his harrowing portrayal of Chikatilo, a daring role the actor fully commits to. As Burakov, Stephen Rea's performance is subtle yet profound. The Irish actor convincingly plays a Russian native while conveying a cornucopia of emotions, including frustration and mental fatigue. Donald Sutherland likewise impresses as a more level-headed Soviet bureaucrat, masking his native American accent with ostensible ease. Sutherland deservedly won a Primetime Emmy for his performance, denoting the movie's sole Emmy win. Max von Sydow only appears in the third act, yet the late actor makes a fantastic impression as the methodical psychiatrist who plays a vital role in the investigation. Also of note is Joss Ackland, who is petrified as the callous party leader, personifying the Soviet Union's villainous

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