Visually astonishing, erotically charged and emotionally jarring. 100 Days Before the Command is Hussein Erkenov's courageous and stinging indictment of Communism. Five young Red Army recruits struggle for survival against the merciless violence that surrounds them on a daily basis. Their only means of saving their dignity is by preserving the humanity and compassion they share for each other. Although not an overtly gay film, Erkanov's 100 Days Before the Command is remarkably direct in it's homoerotic imagery and subtexts. The film includes scenes where the soldiers share an intimacy and tenderness that is far removed from the brutality of most of their waking hours. (Amazingly all the roles are played by real life soldiers except one professional actor.) Banned by Soviet censors upon its initial release, Erkenov was forced to create his own sales company in order for the film to be screened at the 1995 Berlin Film Festival. 100 Days Before the Command is a unique entry into the world of post cold war film making from behind the former Iron Curtain.