Paper Soldier (Russian: Бумажный солдат) is a 2008 Russian drama film directed by Aleksey German Jr.[1][2][3] For his film, German received the Silver Lion and Golden Osella for Best Cinematography from the 66th Venice Film Festival.
[4] The film tells about the doctor Daniil Pokrovsky, who is preparing the squad of the first cosmonauts for spacewalk.
[5] The title is a reference to a Russian song about a soldier who bravely steps into a fire, unaware that he's actually just a toy made of paper.
[6] Slant Magazine said that the film "harkens back to Russian cinema of the ’60s" and gave it 3.5 of 4 stars.
[6] The review called Merab Ninidze's performance (as Doctor Daniil Pokrovsky) "mesmerizing" and the cinematography "exquisite" in a "tightly paced drama.