Thomas Vinterberg's 'Kursk' Depicts 2000 Russian Submarine Tragedy

Thomas Vinterberg's film 'Kursk' recounts the 2000 sinking of the Russian nuclear submarine K-141, which killed all 118 crew members. Based on Robert Moore's book 'A Time to Die', the drama contrasts the sailors' personal tragedy with the delayed rescue response from Russian authorities, who waited five days to accept British and Norwegian help. The film uses varying aspect ratios (4:3, 16:9, widescreen) and handheld camera work, blending Dogma 95 principles with epic cinematography by Anthony Dod Mantle. It explores power dynamics within closed communities and critiques Russian military hierarchy and post-Soviet decay. Produced by Luc Besson, the film stars Matthias Schoenaerts as Captain Mikhail Kalekov.