A RUSSIAN YOUTH

A RUSSIAN YOUTH (MALCHIK RUSSKIY), 2019
Russia | DCP, Color, 72’ | Russian
Director: Alexander Zolotukhin
Cast: Vladimir Korolev, Mikhail Buturlov, Filipp Dyachkov

Alexey is a Russian soldier sent to the battlefield of World War I, at the young age of 15. With an excitement that comes with youth, Alexey is filled with the hope of becoming a gallant soldier decorated with medals. However, things will not go as expected when he finds himself in the middle of combat. Due to the mustard gas, Alexey loses his sight, and is left to serve as a listener. He must raise an alarm in case of enemy airplanes' approach. Adopting a Brechtian attitude in this first feature and assisted by a score consisting of Rachmaninoff’s works, the director Zolotukhin offers a striking and poetic experimental cinema experience.