What is the Latest Work from Russia's Foremost Filmmaker?

Andrei Zvyagintsev was born in Novosibirsk, Russia, in 1964. After working as an actor, he directed television commercials and series. In 2003, his debut feature "The Return" won the Golden Lion at the Cannes Film Festival, instantly establishing him as a leading Russian filmmaker.

His films are now being released in Japan for the first time in ten years. "The Belovs," his second feature completed in 2007, and "Elena," made in 2011, are arriving. Both films beautifully and delicately portray the suffering, loneliness, and love of women.

Elena: A Suspenseful Portrayal of Shifting Marital Dynamics

"Elena," which won the Special Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival and the Best Director award at the Moscow International Film Festival, quietly and suspensefully depicts the emotional shifts within a couple who have remarried. Nadezhda Markina, known as a leading Russian actress, delivers a powerful performance as Elena, filling the screen with her strong resolve and the formidable essence of womanhood.

A Moscow winter. Elena, a former nurse who remarried a wealthy older man, lives a seemingly affluent life without hardship in a luxurious apartment devoid of personal touches. Both have children from previous marriages, and Elena is burdened with providing for her son's family, who seem unwilling to work. Furthermore, her husband's only daughter lives a life of leisure, estranged from her father, a situation Elena resents. The atmosphere between the couple turns tense whenever their children are mentioned.

However, her husband's sudden illness drastically alters this daily routine. Upon hearing his words, "I'll draft my will tomorrow," as he senses his approaching death, she takes an unexpected course of action.

A Family Engulfed in Tragedy by a Wife's Confession

"The Belovs," on the other hand, is a story of a couple based on the American writer William Saroyan's work, depicting the estrangement, loneliness, and ultimate fate of love within a marriage. Konstantin Lavronenko, who also starred in "The Return," won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his role as the silent husband, whose mind is disturbed by his wife's unexpected confession, leading the family to ruin. Vera is played by Maria Bonnevie, one of the leading young actresses in Nordic cinema. Her performance, embodying the mystery and strength of a woman, is also noteworthy.

A family visits their country house for the summer. The tranquil time spent amidst beautiful scenery is shattered when Vera confesses, "I'm pregnant, but it's not your child." The intense emotions of a woman who cannot be confined to the roles of wife and mother soon escalate into a tragedy that engulfs the entire family.—.

Both films delve deeply into the inner lives of women. We should pay attention to Andrei Zvyagintsev's serene direction, which brings to the surface the passions and inner fire of women.



Elena
Opens Saturday, December 20th, at Eurospace and other theaters nationwide
Director | Andrei Zvyagintsev
Starring | Nadezhda Markina, Andrey Smirnov, Aleksey Rozin, Elena Lyadova
Distribution | IVC
2011 / Russia / 109 min
© NON-STOP PRODUCTIONS - IMP. LEVILLAIN RCS CRÈTEIL B 322 482 710

The Belovs
Opens Saturday, December 20th, at Eurospace and other theaters nationwide
Director | Andrei Zvyagintsev
Starring | Konstantin Lavronenko, Alisa Veyrberg, Aleksandr Baluev, Dmitry Ulianov
Distribution | IVC
2007 / Russia / 157 min
© REN-Film

http://www.ivc-tokyo.co.jp/elenavera/