Aleksey Rozin

Andrey Zvyagintsev (Elena, Leviathan) delivers a masterpiece in this caustic look at contemporary Russian society, a failed marriage and the disappearance of a child. A major prize winner at both Cannes and BFI London Film Festival.

Middle-aged couple Elena (Nadejda Markina) and Vladimir (Andreï Smirnov), come from different walks of society. He is a well-off businessman; she is a former medical worker, now a housewife. Having met late in life, each has children from previous marriages. Elena's son is unemployed and constantly asking for money. Vladimir's daughter is a careless young woman whose contact with her father is irregular and strained. Their worlds rupture when a heart attack puts Vladimir in hospital and he makes a significant decision: his daughter will be the only heiress of his wealth. The shy and submissive Elena's hopes of helping her son and grandchildren secure a better life are crushed, triggering a desperate plan.

In a Russian town, Kolya is forced to fight the corrupt mayor when he is told that his house will be demolished. He recruits a lawyer to help, but the man's arrival brings further misfortune. Winner of Best Film at the 2014 BFI London Film Festival.