Whiteout: Russian Occupational Hazards

If you are an American who still works abroad in Russia or China, here is a simple question: are you out of your mind? After seeing how both regimes practice hostage diplomacy, with victims like Paul Whelan, do you really believe it couldn’t happen to you? That is what Henry thought, until gunmen took his entire office hostage. They are probably Russian mob rather than proper government officials, but what’s the difference, really? Woefully out of shape Henry stands a poor chance of survival, so he readily agrees to an escape attempt, but it turns into a case of out-of-the-frying-pan-and-into-the-fire in Derek Barnes’ Whiteout, which releases today on VOD.

Their captors intend to ransom Henry and his co-workers for ransom, but until their relatives pay-up, they labor like slaves in a Siberian factory. When the gang-leader recruits Henry for some office work, it makes him valuable to Kurt and Anthony, two hardened longtime inmates, with an escape plan requiring his help. Despite the risk, his boss Thomas advises him to go for it, because staying there most likely results in death.

Unfortunately, his partners in escape had their geography somewhat mixed-up, which means they have a hard trek ahead of them. Things really get awkward when they are joined by two other Russian fugitives, including the one who tried to give Henry the prison shower-room treatment. However, it turns out he should be more afraid of Kurt and Anthony. Not to be spoilery, but they eventually admit they recruited Henry precisely because he was so overweight.

Whiteout might be a low-budget production, but it is brutally effective. Give credit to Barne and co-star-co-screenwriters James McDougall and Douglas Nyback credit. They never shy away from the grisly implications of their sinister premise. This is a tough little film, whose reputation will likely grow over time.

MacDougall is harrowingly believable as Henry, in a Ned Beatty in Deliverance kind of way. Likewise, Nyback and Joel Labelle are memorably grizzled and sociopathic as Kurt and Anthony. Plus, Jonathan Whittaker really helps clarify the stakes as the dignified Thomas, who clearly recognizes how little time he has left.

Whiteout is about as gritty as a film can get, in pretty much every conceivable way. It is an exhausting viewing experience, but when its over, you know you saw something. It is also a harsh cautionary warning. If you know anyone still posted in Russia or China, beg them to get the heck out. Henry would tell you the same thing. Recommended for fans of unabashedly violent thrillers, Whiteout releases today (11/22) on VOD.