Producer
Because of her age and fragile health, an old Russian lady has to share her apartment with her niece and four grandchildren. At every moment, the calm she enjoyed, her fine family keepsakes, and also her beloved piano, are in danger, under the impetus of the wild energy of the kids. The two worlds, forced into cohabitation, could not be more distant from each other: on one side, what remains of an affluent class, on the other, the “proletariat” as much in the literal sense as in the figurative one. A question hangs in the air: will the members of this family manage to find a place for each other in their hearts? This is a charming little documentary comedy, a one-room drama which, like a Russian story from the last century, is seen like a shadow of the world.
Director of Photography
Because of her age and fragile health, an old Russian lady has to share her apartment with her niece and four grandchildren. At every moment, the calm she enjoyed, her fine family keepsakes, and also her beloved piano, are in danger, under the impetus of the wild energy of the kids. The two worlds, forced into cohabitation, could not be more distant from each other: on one side, what remains of an affluent class, on the other, the “proletariat” as much in the literal sense as in the figurative one. A question hangs in the air: will the members of this family manage to find a place for each other in their hearts? This is a charming little documentary comedy, a one-room drama which, like a Russian story from the last century, is seen like a shadow of the world.
Screenplay
Because of her age and fragile health, an old Russian lady has to share her apartment with her niece and four grandchildren. At every moment, the calm she enjoyed, her fine family keepsakes, and also her beloved piano, are in danger, under the impetus of the wild energy of the kids. The two worlds, forced into cohabitation, could not be more distant from each other: on one side, what remains of an affluent class, on the other, the “proletariat” as much in the literal sense as in the figurative one. A question hangs in the air: will the members of this family manage to find a place for each other in their hearts? This is a charming little documentary comedy, a one-room drama which, like a Russian story from the last century, is seen like a shadow of the world.
Director
Because of her age and fragile health, an old Russian lady has to share her apartment with her niece and four grandchildren. At every moment, the calm she enjoyed, her fine family keepsakes, and also her beloved piano, are in danger, under the impetus of the wild energy of the kids. The two worlds, forced into cohabitation, could not be more distant from each other: on one side, what remains of an affluent class, on the other, the “proletariat” as much in the literal sense as in the figurative one. A question hangs in the air: will the members of this family manage to find a place for each other in their hearts? This is a charming little documentary comedy, a one-room drama which, like a Russian story from the last century, is seen like a shadow of the world.
Editor
The villagers of Churvaleti knew since the end of the Georgian war in 2008 that they were living on a border. Life was simple, but not far from normal. Until a while ago, when Russian patrols started drawing the borderline and putting up barbed wire fences. In Churvaleti, the barbed wire fence goes right through the village. Families and communities got divided. Every other hour border patrols pass by and put anyone in captivity who come close to the fence. In spite of this menace, the villagers find ways to stay in touch with their relatives and friends across the line. Life goes on, but will it ever be the same again?
Director of Photography
The main character is 96. She is imprisoned in the flat, not sure what day it is and hardly remembers who of her relatives is still alive. Is it life? But everything is filled with meaning: life outside her window, worrying for her close ones and love toward those around her. That becomes more important than details of everyday reality.
Editor
The main character is 96. She is imprisoned in the flat, not sure what day it is and hardly remembers who of her relatives is still alive. Is it life? But everything is filled with meaning: life outside her window, worrying for her close ones and love toward those around her. That becomes more important than details of everyday reality.
Screenplay
The main character is 96. She is imprisoned in the flat, not sure what day it is and hardly remembers who of her relatives is still alive. Is it life? But everything is filled with meaning: life outside her window, worrying for her close ones and love toward those around her. That becomes more important than details of everyday reality.
Director
The main character is 96. She is imprisoned in the flat, not sure what day it is and hardly remembers who of her relatives is still alive. Is it life? But everything is filled with meaning: life outside her window, worrying for her close ones and love toward those around her. That becomes more important than details of everyday reality.
Editor
A montage of Leningrad newsreel becomes a composite collage made up of documents-shots, divided in 16 parts, presenting the author's point of view on Russia and modern times. In the title, Sokurov appears as 'compiler' and the selection of the documents is just like an artistic process.
