Kursk: The Last Mission is a 2018 drama film directed by Danish film director Thomas Vinterberg. The movie is based on the real-life incident of the 2000 Kursk submarine disaster, in which the Russian nuclear submarine K-141 sank in the Barents Sea after an explosion, leading to the deaths of all 118 crew members on board. Colin Firth plays the role of Captain David Russell, a British Navy officer who tries to help the Russian Navy rescue the crew of the Kursk, while Lea Seydoux plays the role of Tanya, the wife of one of the doomed submariners.
The movie is a gripping and emotional account of the tragedy, which combines elements of action, suspense, and human drama. It vividly depicts the tense atmosphere onboard the Kursk, as the crew struggles to survive in the aftermath of the explosion. The movie also shows the efforts of the Russian Navy to rescue the crew, as well as the diplomatic and political tensions between Russia and other countries involved in the rescue efforts.
The movie starts off with Captain David Russell arriving in Russia to participate in a naval exercise with the Russian Navy. However, when he witnesses the explosion of the Kursk and realizes the extent of the disaster, he offers his help to the Russians, even though they are initially reluctant to accept it. Despite the language and cultural barriers, Captain Russell works tirelessly with his team to provide the Russians with the necessary equipment and assistance to conduct the rescue operation.
Meanwhile, on board the Kursk, the crew is faced with a life-and-death situation, as they struggle to survive in the cramped and flooded conditions of the submarine. They quickly realize that their chances of survival are slim, and they resort to desperate measures to stay alive. The movie portrays the human drama of the crew members as they grapple with their impending doom, trying to find ways to communicate with the outside world and send messages to their loved ones.
Lea Seydoux delivers a powerful performance as Tanya, the wife of one of the crew members on board the Kursk. She embodies the fear, anguish, and frustration of the families of the submariners, as they try to understand what has happened and demand answers from the Russian authorities. Tanya's desperation to know the fate of her husband, and her eventual realization that he has died, is a poignant and heartbreaking moment in the movie.
Despite the efforts of Captain Russell and his team, and the bravery of some of the crew members of the Kursk, the rescue operation ultimately fails, and all 118 crew members perish. The movie ends on a bleak and sobering note, as the families of the submariners mourn their loss and demand accountability from the Russian government.
Overall, Kursk: The Last Mission is a well-crafted and emotionally charged movie, which offers a compelling portrayal of a tragic chapter in Russian naval history. The director and cast successfully convey the sense of urgency, tension, and despair that characterized the Kursk disaster, while also highlighting the bravery and humanity of the men and women involved. The movie is a fitting tribute to the memory of the submariners who lost their lives, and a reminder of the perils of submarine warfare.
