Question 1

What real-life incident happened when Viggo Mortensen kept his character's tattoos on after filming?

Accepted Answer

After shooting, Mortensen went to a pub in costume with tattoos; Russian speakers saw them and got scared, thinking he was a real Vory v Zakone member.

Question 2

What do the Russian tattoos on Nikolai's ankles say, and how did Mortensen describe them?

Accepted Answer

They read 'Where are you going?' and 'What the fuck do you care?' in Russian; Mortensen thought they were hilarious, joking that 'one foot doesn't respect the other.'

Question 3

Why don't the Vory v Zakone characters use guns in the film?

Accepted Answer

Director David Cronenberg's research found that Vory v Zakone members prefer knives, as they could claim they were for linoleum cutting if arrested by police.

Question 4

Which major film festivals included 'Eastern Promises' in their lineups?

Accepted Answer

It was featured at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, Stockholm International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, and Toronto International Film Festival in 2007.

Question 5

What clue does a dying teenager leave that connects her child to a crime in London?

Accepted Answer

A Russian teenager dies during childbirth in London, leaving clues in her diary that could tie her child to a rape involving a violent Russian mob family.

Question 6

Why did Viggo Mortensen's tattoos scare Russian speakers in a pub after filming?

Accepted Answer

After shooting, Viggo Mortensen went to a pub with his character's tattoos still on. He overheard a Russian couple speaking, and when they saw his tattoos, they stopped talking and stared, scared because they thought he was a real member of the Vory v Zakone.

Question 7

What do the Russian tattoos on Nikolai's ankles say, and why did Mortensen find them amusing?

Accepted Answer

The tattoos around Nikolai's ankles read 'Where are you going?' and 'What the fuck do you care?' in Russian. Viggo Mortensen thought they were hilarious, joking that 'one foot doesn't respect the other.'

Question 8

How did David Cronenberg's research influence the weapons used by the Russian mob in the film?

Accepted Answer

David Cronenberg discovered that members of the Vory v Zakone typically prefer knives over guns. This is why no characters in the movie use guns; they could claim knives were for linoleum cutting if arrested.

Question 9

Which major film festivals featured 'Eastern Promises' in 2007?

Accepted Answer

In 2007, 'Eastern Promises' was featured at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, Stockholm International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, and Toronto International Film Festival.

Question 10

What clue does a dying Russian teenager leave that drives the plot of 'Eastern Promises'?

Accepted Answer

A Russian teenager dies during childbirth in London, but her diary contains clues that could tie her child to a rape involving a violent Russian mob family.

Loved this film?

Share with others

Loved this film?

Share with others

Eastern Promises

Customers also watched