Citizen X (1995) Film Review

Where and when did this incident occur? 

The incidences in the film are from a town in Russia known as Rostov where there was a disturbed serial killer affecting the livelihood of the citizens. The killings took place in Chapman forest. The events in the film take place in the years between 1970s and 1990s. 

Who was the individual instrumental in catching this killer? 

The individual instrumental in catching the serial killer was a forensic pathologist who is Viktor Burakov. The expert correctly assessed the damage inflicted on the victims and concluded that it was the case of a serial killer that was taking place. The forensic expert had a clue pertaining to the trend used by the serial killer to collect his victims. The efforts by Burakov were primarily facilitated by the assistance of Mikhail Fetisov, the general, and Alexandr Bukhanovsky who was the psychiatrist. 

How many people (which included children, women and men) were murdered? 

After the final arrest, Chikalito, the serial killer had already killed fifty-two individuals in total. Out of the total number of victims recorded, the larger population was made up of children under the age of seventeen. From the film, the audience is made aware that thirty five out of the fifty-two individuals were children aged below seventeen. 

How were the individuals murdered? Where were they murdered? 

The serial killer made use of various tactics to lure his prey. Primarily, he hunted them at the train station and mostly captured the lonely, the slow and the unlucky individuals. He convinced them into the forest and after talking them into the forest; he would stab them in the back and bury their bodies. For the female victims, he would forcefully engage them in sex and before they could die he could masturbate on them. It is true to note that he used the killing spree to suppress his frustrations. Notably, after picking his victims in the train station, he took them to the woods where he could commit the crimes. 

Was the killer married? 

Yes, the killer had a family and this was an important camouflage in his dubious activities. 

Did the killer have any children? 

Yes, Chikalito had children a boy and girl. 

Did the killer work, if so, where did he work? 

Yes, the serial killer was formally employed. At first, he worked as a teacher as we are informed in the interrogation scene. At the time of the arrest, he worked as a communications engineer in a local train station. 

Was the killer ever brought in for questioning prior to being caught? If so, what was the reason he was released? 

Yes, the serial killer was once arrested after the forensic pathologist, Burakov, spotted him trying to talk to different individuals at the train station. At that point, there were sufficient ground to link him to the murder but there was a setback in the investigation process. From the forensic assessment, the blood type as well as the semen sample did not match for one individual and thus scientific evidence worked in his favor. Another aspect which made his release easier was the bureaucratic nature of the Soviet politics which provided ‘immunity’ to the loyal members of the communist union. Therefore, with these two aspects, the serial killer was able to have his way out. 

What was the climate of the Country when the killer first came to the attention of the ME? 

The killer came at a time when there was extreme political fever. The government of the day was really intimidated with the changing political environment and they were afraid to air their failures to the public. There were a lot of bureaucracy and people were not impressed by the working of the government. Therefore, the political class had to ensure they maintain their stature during the entire process. Therefore, this can be perceived as one of the significant reasons why the institution failed to acknowledge the existence of a serial killer. 

What was the climate of the Country when the killer was caught? What was going on then? 

When the serial killer was finally caught, there were extreme changes in the system of administration and this was one of the main factors which made the process more efficient than the previous attempts. The changes in the administration led to the promotion of Fetisov to the rank of the commander whereas Burakov became the head of investigation ( Griffin, 2018) . During that change period, there was easy monitoring of the region and also enhanced ease of making decisions on how to counter the serial killer. Moreover, the incorporation of a behavioral psychiatrist was significant. All these happened after the Soviet Union decided to surrender their seventy-two years monopoly of power. 

Did the ME ever have an emotional reaction to these murders? If so, what was it? 

Yes, it is true the lead investigator had an emotional reaction to the murders. First, he kept investigating even though he did not get support from top soviet leaders. On the other hand, he once dreamt that his daughter was captured by the serial killer and this left him sobbing at the middle of the night. In addition, Fetisov acknowledges the fact that he was unsupportive during the years even though he was undergoing through depression in the workplace. 

Did all the psychiatrists spoken to by the ME climb on board to assist the ME? 

No, not all the psychiatrists were willing to help in the investigation as this would make them lose their lives if the Soviet Union learnt of their ways. Only one, Bukhanovsky, was available to offer his assistance on Citizen X. 

Did the ME ever contact another Agency in another Country to assist him in his search for this murderer? If so, what reaction did the me receive from the “higher-ups”? 

At first, there was a lot of resistance to the aspect of including the FBI in the investigation as it would work to prove the western dominance. The opposition from Comrade Bondarchuk was sufficient enough to resist any foreign intervention into the activities of the Soviet Union ( Griffin, 2018) . 

Did anyone praise the ME for this diligent work; and, did anyone provide the assistance the ME required from any of the “higher-ups”? 

Yes, Burakov gained praise and assistance from General Fetisov in his dedication and diligence in handling the situation. One of the ways he assisted him is through blackmailing Comrade Borndachuk and advising him to stay away from the investigations. Therefore, such a move was paramount as it ensured that Burakov was in a position to handle the case without facing opposition from the superiors. 

Did the Psychiatrist really assist the ME? In what way(s)? 

Yes, the psychiatrist played a crucial role in the entire investigation through the Citizen X analogy. He identified the serial killer as a family man having sexual issues. In addition, he identified him as a loner seeking attention. In addition, he managed to make the killer confess something which the law enforcement agencies had failed. 

What procedure did law enforcement utilize to catch this murderer? 

They manned all the major railway stations with armed and uniformed police and left only three stations which were manned by police undercover police ( Griffin, 2018) . The three smallest train stations served as bait for capturing the killer. 

Was the killer brought to any kind of justice? 

Yes, he was arrested and charged for 52 counts of murder. He was found guilty and was sentenced to murder. 

Describe the sequence of events once the murderer was caught, questioned, brought to trial. 

Once he was captured, his finger prints were examined, and the blood and semen samples were also collected. Soon after, he was completely checked to ascertain the condition of his body through a physical examination. He was detained then taken to the boardroom for questioning which took place for over five days without any sound confession. Soon after, the psychiatrist, Buhkanovsky, was able to connect with his emotions and thus get a confession. Soon after the confession, he was able to lead the detectives to the various locations where he had buried the bodies which had not been found. 

What was the final outcome for the murderer? 

Finally, the murderer was found guilty and the film ends when he is taken into confinement and a bullet set to his head. 

Do you think justice was served? If so, explain your reasoning. 

In the perception of self, justice was served. Through the court proceedings and the conviction of the 52 counts of murder, he was not set free because he was a communist but instead he was confined to serve time for all his misdoings. Moreover, the individual was taken away from the society which implies that the society was sanitized and made safe soon after his capture. 

Reference  

Griffin, B. (2018). Citizen X (1995) HD. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1FSDYiEq70