Thieves by Law

Thieves by Law

2010, Crime  -   24 Comments
7.45
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Ratings: 7.45/10 from 20 users.

Thieves by LawThieves by Law, or Ganavim Ba Hok is a documentary film charting the rise of Russian organized crime in the wake of the fall of the Soviet Union. In the film several noted crime figures are interviewed, a number of which are currently wanted by Interpol.

The term "thieves by law," which refers to the uppermost echelon of the Russian criminal world, was born in the 30s.

Some people say it might have something to do with "Chekists," or the early Soviet secret service (what later became the KGB).

At first, thieves by law followed a strict code: a thief by law had to serve time in jail, and had no right to have a family, a registered address, or belongings, surviving only by criminal means.

Directed by: Alexander Gentelev

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N
N
11 years ago

capitalism has a shelf life.

Alex Moore-Minott
Alex Moore-Minott
11 years ago

I always thought it was Vory V Zakone

professor Wirth
professor Wirth
11 years ago

It's not "thieves by law", it's "thieves IN law" both literally and in literature.

StevenLJones
StevenLJones
11 years ago

Follow no laws pay no taxes and make deals people can't afford to refuse. Organized crime has the competitive advantage. The result is 2008 banking crisis where toxic debt was packaged as triple A investments and sold to the Europeans. The problem with corruption is that it isn't sustainable. It's going to bring down the house of cards. Also these people aren't capable of dealing with issues like global warming to save their butts.

Juan P. Ordonez Q.
Juan P. Ordonez Q.
11 years ago

Very interesting documentary, thanks for linking it to your site. I was quite surprised that despite the dire nature of the topic, the documentary has a few black humour gems that ought to be seen.

Laura May Skillen
Laura May Skillen
11 years ago

Incredible, loved it!

Matt Kukowski
Matt Kukowski
11 years ago

Hard times. Guess that is what happens after a whole country collapses. Miracle the Russians survived it. Money will drive men crazy.

dmxi
dmxi
11 years ago

they're just copying their 'american idols'!even the children of the oligarchs are
now pretending to be from the 'hood' & are hip-hopping the charts...weirdly enough ,quite successful! since 2oo1 there has been a social,economical,ethical & moral paradigm shift
in the 'democratic hemisphere',which is bringing forth rotten fruit for fresh vegetables!

Richard T
Richard T
11 years ago

very interesting doc. thanks for posting.

slpsa
slpsa
11 years ago

You are right but for the sake of keeping it friendly, I will not point to many many instances, where the rich and powerful got there on the blood and backs of those they stole from. silkop does not seem to get it.

Brandon
Brandon
11 years ago

disagree silkop, the us goverment is run by ridiculously corrupt ppl with strong ties to major corporations, why the **** we in iraq?!?!?!?! were in the third world and no ones saving us....

4GER van Ludyck
4GER van Ludyck
11 years ago

A really GREAT docu!!! Many THANX, Vlatko!

slpsa
slpsa
11 years ago

That being said, they treat their foreign guests in mining and gas/oil very well. ( hiccup...) If ya know what I mean. I spent a few weeks there once a year for several years now, the truth of it is, it is much like any other Country, if you show them the money, you get what you want, and what you need. Everyone there is on the take, show me a Country these days that does not have those people. All it takes is some scratch to buy you favors, contracts, and whatever else you feel like throwing in as part of a bargain. You would be shocked to know how much is done at the handshake level as well. There are not always supporting documents for services rendered...LOL. Russia is no different than anyone when it comes to payoffs, blackmail, favoritism, a little bent ear here and there. They are as good or better at capitalism than the people you assume are the grandfathers of it when it comes right down to it. What you cannot get with words and cash alone, produce some guns and the mood changes, fast.

rljp
rljp
11 years ago

About all I have to say is shocking. Blatantly proud to be ruthless. Looks like Khordokovsky was a legitimate businessman but was seen as a threat to Putin because if he was like these guys he would be where they are. Not investing a cent in Russia after watching this.

dmxi
dmxi
11 years ago

after their experiences in their homeland,russian emmigrants that get
incarcerated in western countries for commited crimes,enjoy the state sanctioned holidays as a wellness trip !i'm quite aware,of how racist this sounds,but i shared my time with quite a few & i'm only quoting my ex-fellow
companions.

neville_ryan
neville_ryan
11 years ago

These guys are scary.They'd kill you just because they can.