The film, crafted by a talented duo, delves profoundly into the distressing reality of violence as a method of control within the Belarusian military. The narrative unfolds with a delicate touch, employing tender cinematography to expose the dark "tradition" of bullying, torture, and murder that has haunted conscripts for decades. Beyond peering into the concealed life of the army, Motherland offers a poignant exploration of an entire society governed by the unspoken law of state-sanctioned violence.
Mihalkovich and Badziaka skillfully paint an unyielding portrait of a militaristic, heavily patriarchal society entrenched in violence and propaganda. While the narrative may not appear to offer hope for the future, the mere existence of this talentedly crafted film, viewed by audiences worldwide, instills hope that the vicious cycle of trauma and state-sanctioned violence will eventually be shattered by the emergence of a new generation of liberated Belarusians.