Maximum Impact
Maximum Impact is a philanthropic evaluation initiative run by Effective Altruism Israel to assist donors in allocating resources to charities that deliver the greatest measurable benefits, emphasizing empirical evidence and cost-effectiveness analyses of nonprofit programs.[1][2]
Established around 2022 as part of efforts to build evidence-based giving within Israel's philanthropy sector, the program evaluates both domestic Israeli organizations and international ones, prioritizing interventions with high scalability, solvability, and evidence of causal impact.[3][4]
Its core activities include soliciting applications from nonprofits for rigorous assessments, providing research grants—such as $6,000 to selected participants—and convening expert panels featuring evaluators from bodies like GiveWell and J-PAL to score submissions on validity and potential outcomes.[2]
In the 2023 pilot cohort, Maximum Impact processed over 160 applications, funded analyses for 25 organizations, and published 21 detailed cost-effectiveness reports following a 10-month review, while awarding prizes to top performers and facilitating modest shifts in donor funding toward recommended causes.[5][6]
By fostering a community of researchers and philanthropists aligned with effective altruism methodologies, the program seeks to exponentially amplify social good through targeted, data-driven recommendations rather than traditional donation appeals.[1][7]
Production
Development and Pre-Production
The development of Maximum Impact originated as a Russian-American co-production spearheaded by Alexander Nevsky, a Russian-born actor and producer based in the United States, who also took the lead role. Nevsky announced the project in early 2016 during promotional discussions for his prior action films, positioning it as a vehicle to showcase collaborative espionage action between U.S. and Russian agents amid geopolitical tensions.[8] The screenplay was penned by Ross LaManna, whose prior credits include the original Rush Hour (1998), adapting familiar action-thriller conventions of reluctant international partnerships and high-stakes summits to fit a narrative of FSB and U.S. Secret Service cooperation.[9][10] Andrzej Bartkowiak was tapped to direct, leveraging his background in blending martial arts choreography with thriller elements from films such as Romeo Must Die (2000) and Exit Wounds (2001).[9] Financing drew from cross-border partnerships between Nevsky's production entities and Russian interests, reflecting the film's thematic emphasis on U.S.-Russia détente through joint anti-terror efforts, though specific budget figures remain undisclosed in public records for this independent genre entry.[11] Pre-production emphasized logistical coordination for authenticity, including location scouting in Moscow to capture Russian institutional settings and procedural details, alongside Los Angeles for American sequences, with principal photography commencing in 2015 across these sites to integrate real-world urban backdrops into the espionage framework.[12][11]Casting
Alexander Nevsky portrayed the lead role of FSB agent Maxim Kadurin, selected for his established presence in action cinema and physical conditioning from competitive bodybuilding, which contributed to the authenticity of the character's demanding fight scenes.[13][14] As a producer on the project, Nevsky helped assemble the ensemble, favoring performers capable of executing practical stunts amid the film's limited budget constraints.[15][16] Kelly Hu was cast as CIA agent Kate Desmond, drawing on her background in high-octane roles such as in The Scorpion King (2002), where she demonstrated proficiency in martial arts choreography suitable for the inter-agency thriller's confrontation sequences.[14][17] The supporting cast incorporated American actors Tom Arnold as U.S. agent Barnes and Eric Roberts as Secretary of State Robert Jacobs, alongside Russian talent including Evgeniy Stychkin as FSB operative Andrey Durov, creating a balanced representation that mirrored the story's U.S.-Russia alliance dynamic.[18][19] This multinational approach extended to other roles, such as Mark Dacascos and additional Russian performers, prioritizing performers with genre experience over A-list celebrities to align with the independent production's focus on action realism.[14][20]Filming and Technical Aspects
Principal photography for Maximum Impact took place primarily in Moscow, Russia, leveraging authentic urban settings to enhance the realism of chase scenes and confrontations.[14] These locations included city streets and infrastructure, allowing for on-site captures of high-speed vehicle pursuits and environmental interactions integral to the plot's action elements.[21] Action sequences featured hand-to-hand combat and vehicular maneuvers, coordinated by James Lew, who served as fight choreographer, stunt coordinator, and second unit director.[11] [22] Lew's involvement ensured practical execution of fights, drawing on his experience in martial arts choreography to integrate physical stunts with the narrative's demands.[23] Cinematography was led by Vern Nobles, who handled the visual capture to support the film's dynamic pacing across interior and exterior shots.[9] [24] The musical score, composed by Sean Murray, underscored thriller elements with tension-building cues aligned to action beats.[24] Post-production, including editing by Thomas Calderon, focused on sequencing action footage with dialogue and comedic interludes, culminating in completion ahead of the film's Russian theatrical release on November 30, 2017.[24] [9] This phase addressed synchronization of stunts and effects to maintain narrative flow within the runtime constraints of a direct-to-video international rollout.[25]Synopsis
Plot Summary
In Maximum Impact, a covert summit in Moscow between U.S. and Russian officials is disrupted by a terrorist assassination attempt on the U.S. Secretary of State, played by Eric Roberts, compelling Russian FSB agent Maxim Kadurin (Alexander Nevsky) and U.S. Secret Service agent Amanda (Kelly Hu) to form a reluctant cross-border alliance.[17][26] The duo confronts mounting perils from shadowy rogue actors, including arms dealers and infiltrators exploiting internal divisions, sparking a series of high-octane vehicle chases, foot pursuits, and direct confrontations amid the city's landmarks.[27][24] Tensions arise from linguistic barriers and cultural stereotypes, injecting comedic elements into their partnership, as mutual suspicion gradually yields to pragmatic collaboration necessary for unraveling the conspiracy.[9] The 110-minute runtime follows a straightforward action-comedy framework: an expository setup establishing geopolitical stakes, a central act of intensifying threats and alliances, and a denouement centered on thwarting an impending international catastrophe through bilateral coordination.[14][28]Cast and Characters
The principal cast of Maximum Impact features Alexander Nevsky in the dual role of producer and lead actor as Maxim Kadurin, a Federal Security Service (FSB) agent tasked with protecting a high-profile summit.[18] Kelly Hu plays Kate Desmond, a CIA operative who collaborates with Russian counterparts amid escalating threats.[19] Supporting roles include Evgeniy Stychkin as Andrey Durov, Kadurin's FSB colleague; Tom Arnold as Agent Barnes, a U.S. Secret Service figure; and Mark Dacascos as Tony Lin, involved in the film's action sequences.[18] Eric Roberts portrays Robert Jacobs, adding to the ensemble of international agents and antagonists.[18]| Actor | Character Description |
|---|---|
| Alexander Nevsky | Maxim Kadurin, FSB agent and protagonist |
| Kelly Hu | Kate Desmond, CIA agent |
| Evgeniy Stychkin | Andrey Durov, FSB operative |
| Tom Arnold | Agent Barnes, U.S. Secret Service |
| Mark Dacascos | Tony Lin, action-oriented ally |
| Eric Roberts | Robert Jacobs, shadowy operative |
Release
Theatrical Release and Distribution
The film premiered theatrically in Russia on November 30, 2017, under its original title Maksimal'nyy udar, marking the initial public rollout in its primary market.[29][28] In the United States, Unified Pictures handled North American distribution, securing a limited theatrical release on September 28, 2018, confined to select screens in major markets ahead of its quick pivot to on-demand and physical media.[30][26] This constrained U.S. engagement aligned with the production's direct-to-video emphasis outside Russia, where domestic theatrical prioritization capitalized on local interest in the co-production's action elements and Alexander Nevsky's starring role.[31] Marketing efforts centered on trailers released in mid-2018 that spotlighted high-stakes action and the core premise of Federal Security Service and U.S. Secret Service agents compelled to collaborate against an international threat, appealing to fans of buddy-cop dynamics with geopolitical undertones.[32] Promotion drew on Nevsky's profile as a bilingual actor-producer fostering U.S.-Russian film ties, positioning the project as a cross-cultural action vehicle rather than a prestige event.[30] International outreach extended the original Russian version to aligned territories, though the U.S. campaign remained modest, relying on digital platforms and genre-specific outlets to target niche action audiences without wide-scale advertising.[33]Home Media and Streaming
The film received a direct-to-video release in the United States on DVD and Blu-ray on October 2, 2018, distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment following its limited theatrical engagement.[34][35] Digital download and on-demand options became available concurrently through platforms including iTunes and Vudu.[26] Streaming accessibility expanded in subsequent years, with the title appearing on ad-supported services such as Tubi by late 2018, enabling free viewing for U.S. audiences.[36] Rental and purchase options persisted on Amazon Video and Google Play Movies, priced from $2.99, broadening reach to international viewers via these global platforms.[37][38] In Russia, home video editions followed the November 30, 2017, theatrical debut, handled by local distributors like Czar Pictures, though detailed sales data remains limited.[39] The film's niche appeal in action genres sustained modest ongoing availability without significant reissues or 4K restorations as of 2025.[37]Reception
Critical Response
Maximum Impact garnered predominantly negative critical reception, with reviewers decrying its formulaic script, erratic tone, and stilted dialogue. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film earned a 9% Tomatometer score based on 11 reviews, reflecting broad disapproval among professional critics.[17] Similarly, Metacritic aggregated a weighted average of 16 out of 100 from four reviews, categorizing it as "overwhelming dislike."[40] Common critiques highlighted the narrative's reliance on contrived coincidences and underdeveloped characters, often likening it to low-budget action fare lacking coherence or originality.[9][24] Despite the consensus negativity, select aspects received qualified praise, particularly the action sequences and lead performer Alexander Nevsky's imposing physicality. The Hollywood Reporter acknowledged a certain "B-movie charm," suggesting the film delivers modest entertainment for fans of unpretentious, direct-to-video thrillers through its unapologetic pulp elements.[9] Reviews occasionally commended Nevsky's committed presence and the stunt work, though these were insufficient to offset broader deficiencies in pacing and execution.[41] Audience metrics aligned closely with critical disdain, as evidenced by an IMDb rating of 2.4 out of 10 from 1,223 user votes, underscoring persistent complaints about amateurish scripting and tonal whiplash.[14] While some international outlets noted marginally warmer responses in Russia for its pro-cooperation themes, professional assessments remained largely critical even there, emphasizing execution flaws over patriotic appeals.[24]Audience Reception and Box Office
Maximum Impact earned a worldwide box office gross of $31,806, entirely from international markets, primarily Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), with no reported domestic earnings from its limited U.S. theatrical release on September 28, 2018.[29][28] The film's U.S. performance was negligible, aligning with its restricted distribution amid a pro-Russian narrative that drew limited interest during the midterm election period.[42] Audience response, as measured by aggregated user ratings, was overwhelmingly negative. On IMDb, the film holds a 2.4 out of 10 rating based on over 1,200 user votes, reflecting broad dissatisfaction with its execution despite a cast including action staples like Danny Trejo and Eric Roberts.[14] Rotten Tomatoes audience score stands at approximately 45%, indicating polarization where a minority praised the stunt work and B-movie energy, while the majority criticized the dialogue, plot contrivances, and uneven tone as overly cheesy and implausible.[17] No CinemaScore polling was conducted due to the minimal theatrical footprint, but user feedback highlights a divide: action enthusiasts noted enjoyment of fight choreography, whereas others dismissed it as derivative low-budget fare lacking coherence.[14] Post-theatrical performance in home media and streaming provided modest ancillary revenue, bolstered by the film's low production profile and availability on platforms like Amazon Prime, though specific sales figures remain unreported and it failed to achieve cult following metrics seen in comparable direct-to-video actioners.[17] Relative to similar micro-budget spy thrillers, Maximum Impact underperformed commercially, with its total earnings falling short of even niche successes in the genre that leverage recognizable talent for wider VOD uptake.[29]Accolades and Nominations
Maximum Impact received recognition primarily at genre-specific festivals rather than mainstream awards ceremonies. At the 2018 Action on Film International Film Festival in Las Vegas, the film won Best Action Film, Best Action Sequence, and Best Stunt Coordinator.[43][44] Lead actor and producer Alexander Nevsky was also honored with the festival's Breakout Action Star of the Year award for his contributions to the film and prior projects.[45]| Award | Category | Recipient | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action on Film International Film Festival | Best Action Film | Maximum Impact | August 2018[43] |
| Action on Film International Film Festival | Best Action Sequence | Maximum Impact | August 2018[44] |
| Action on Film International Film Festival | Best Stunt Coordinator | Maximum Impact (team) | August 2018[43] |
| Action on Film International Film Festival | Breakout Action Star of the Year | Alexander Nevsky | August 2018[44] |