Mafia thug 'improves the image of Russia'

An actor, who played a Russian gangster in the hit movie “Eastern Promises”, has been rewarded partly for improving the country's image abroad. Viggo Mortenson got the gong from the U.S.-based magazine “Russia!” for “General

The official citation commends Mortensen for his 'sensitive, multifaceted and authentic' portrayal of his character.

“Unlike the Muslim, Jewish and other communities, the Russians have been historically docile about being portrayed as drunk, murderous plotters,” explains Michael Idov, the editor of the magazine, “But the offensive part is being portrayed as a drunk, murderous plotter with a Czech name and a Transylvanian accent.”