BELYE NOCHI POCHTALONA ALEKSEYA TRYAPITSYNA

Russia

Synopsis

The film focuses on the lives of the inhabitants of a remote village. The only way the villagers can reach the mainland is by crossing the lake on a boat. Only a few people live there, and they all know each other well. Although a launch site using state-of-the-art technologies is located close by, the villagers live just the way their ancestors did for centuries. They only produce those things which are necessary for survival. A postman, a man loosely representing the local authorities and social services, is their only link to the outside world. A woman in the village, whom the postman is in love with, decides to run away from this life and move to the city. At the same time, the motor from the postman's boat goes missing. He can no longer deliver the mail, and his life and those of all the villagers are turned upside down. Following a conflict, he also decides to leave for the city, but he soon returns, although even he can't explain why. Maybe it's because he misses his slippers that he foolishly left at home ...
The script was based on real people: in the film the actual villagers play themselves. It took over a year to find the right person to take on the main role.

Director's Statement

In the last years I've started thinking that modern cinema is trying to spare the audience from having to engage in contemplation.
Over the last few years I've been plagued by the uncertainty of whether I truly understand the essence of cinema.
This film is my attempt at discovering new possibilities offered by moving images accompanied by sound.
An attempt to see the world surrounding us through the eyes of a "newborn".
An attempt to unhurriedly study life.
Contemplation is a state in which a person is very aware of his unity with the Universe.
Perhaps this film is my attempt at sharpening my hearing and trying to listen to the quiet whisper of the Universe.
 | 

Cast & Crew

Directed by: Andrei Konchalovsky

Written by: Andrei Konchalovsky, Elena Kiseleva

Produced by: Andrei Konchalovsky

Cinematography: Alexander Simonov

Editing: Sergey Taraskin

Original Score: Eduard Artemev

Sound Design: Polina Volynkina

Cast: Alexey Tryapitsyn (himself), Irina Ermolova (Irina), Timur Bondarenko (Timur, Irina's son)

Nominations and Awards

  • Feature Film Selection 2015