Armor (Syaran film)
| Armor Оклоп | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Margos Markarian |
| Screenplay by | Ljubomir Kralevski |
| Produced by | Anica Manojlović |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Ivan Tomašević |
| Edited by | Emasdouhi Ksajikian |
| Music by | Rafael Ognjanovski |
Production company | Iron Peak Productions |
| Distributed by | Commonality Films Incorporated |
Release date | 14 March 2021 |
Running time | 131 minutes |
| Country | Syara |
| Language | Syaran |
| Budget | $50 million |
| Box office | $210 million |
Armor (Syaran: Оклоп) is a Syaran war film directed by Margos Markarian, who co-wrote the film with writer Ljubomir Kralevski. The film takes place during the Zemplen War and follows a Syaran soldier, Slobodan Torov (portrayed by Tase Rajcevksi), and his experience following his conscription and service in the conflict as a tank gunner. Filming started in late 2019 and wrapped up in October 2020. Armor was released on 14 March 2021 to positive reviews and commercial success, with praise for its acting and soundtrack.
Cast
{{Plainlist|
- Tase Rajcevski as Slobodan Torov
- Benjamin Novosel as Andrej Churanov
- Karnig Ghukasian as Avak Avaliani
- Miladin Demitrov Dobrev as Robert Topolovec
- Ljiljana Hečimović as Irena Ristevska
Plot
In the summer of 2008, a bright and optimistic Slobodan Torov completes his semester at the University of Sena where he studies to be an architect. In an email to his father and brother he outlines his plans for completing his degree and proposing to his long time girlfriend Sashka. After making elaborate preparations for the proposal Torov is shocked when Sashka declines and promptly breaks off contact with him. Stunned and disheartened, Torov enters into a depressive state. His grades quickly decline despite intervention from his family and friend Irena, who expressed affection for him but is ignored by a despondent Torov. Several weeks later, due in part to his sudden drop in academic standing, Torov is conscripted into the Syaran army. He is transported to Galania for basic training, which he takes to poorly due to his sullen and emotionally drained nature. His comrades embark on several endeavors to change Torov's demeanor before reporting him to their instructors after he implies he has no qualms about dying either through combat or suicide. Torov is sent to the medical staff over concerns for self-harm, but the demands of the war result in Torov being sent back to training with little more than medication.
Torov and his platoon graduate and he is assigned to the role of tank crewman in an armored company being formed before heading to the front line. Torov is assigned to Talos-2, commanded by Sergeant Churanov and driven by Private First Class Avaliani. Still emotionally detached and dispassionate Torov struggles during his gunnery trials and scores poorly, leading to him being assigned as a "reserve crewman" who's main job will be cleaning and repairing the tanks. The day before the unit is to set out another crewman is killed in an accident however, and Torov is reassigned to Talos-2. His crew members are apprehensive about his involvement given his poor performance thus far, and Torov struggles to build relationships with his crew. The company moves out to the front line, but along the way a tank is lost to a mine, crippling the vehicle and forcing the tank to be abandoned. A day later a Ruvelkan helicopter gunship destroys two more tanks from another platoon, causing morale to hit rock bottom.
After finally reaching the front, Torov's company digs in and comes under attack from the Ruvelkan army. Despite a chaotic combat environment Torov unexpectedly performs well under pressure, successfully destroying multiple armored vehicles during the battle. Sergeant Churanov concludes that Torov's disassociation renders him effectively immune to the stress of combat, and his status within his unit rises. During the Ruvelkan Winter Counter-Offensive the company suffers losses, but Talos-2 successfully destroys more enemy armor, leading Torov's reputation to rise. Despite this he remains emotionally distant from the rest of his unit, spending long nights alone in his tank and rarely conversing with anyone outside his crew. During the Syaran Spring Offensives the crew once more engages in heavy combat. During one battle the company encountered Acrean armored forces; the Syarans suffer heavy losses, but Torov succeeds in scoring a catastrophic kill on an Acrean tank, earning him praise from his superiors and earning him a promotion.
Torov finally begins emerging from his shell as his reputation grows in the battalion and brigade grows.