Top Must-Watch Films from Kinotavr Festival That Captivated Audiences

Explore a selection of remarkable films from the Kinotavr Festival that blend intense storytelling with profound human experiences.

1. Anna's War

Directed by Alexey Fedorchenko, known for acclaimed works like "The Oats" and "Revolutionary Angels," this film has already received enthusiastic praise from European audiences at the Rotterdam festival. Its Russian premiere in Sochi also captivated local viewers.

Set during World War II, the story follows young Anna, a two-year-old girl who survives hidden in a stove after her family is tragically executed by Nazis.

The performance by eight-year-old debutant Marta Kozlova was hailed as a revelation, earning a special jury diploma for portraying the war through a child's eyes. The film’s intimate approach offers a refreshing contrast to typical grandiose war movies.

Distribution plans remain uncertain.

2. The Appointment Story

This film recounts the true episode of Leo Tolstoy's efforts to protect a regimental clerk from judicial injustice. Directed by Avdotya Smirnova, one of the industry's leading female directors, the narrative gains a timely and tragic resonance, evoking memories of recent political arrests.

Interestingly, the film did not receive funding from the Ministry of Culture despite applying. Nevertheless, it won the Best Screenplay award and was voted Best Film by audiences at the festival.

Available in theaters starting September 6.

3. Mira

The story follows Slovak Mira traveling from London to the conflict-torn Luhansk People's Republic with a hopeful mission to restore Soviet-era monuments damaged by war. However, the harsh realities of conflict quickly challenge this idealistic vision of peaceful coexistence.

Directed by Denis Shabaev, a graduate of Marina Razbezhkina’s prestigious documentary workshop, the film blurs the line between documentary and fiction. All actors are non-professionals playing themselves in authentic circumstances.

Expected to be released this year.

4. The Drop-Offs

Ivan I. Tverdovsky’s third film is more mature than his previous provocative works like "Zoology" and "Correction Class." It explores the complex relationship between a mother and her seventeen-year-old son, whom she abandoned in a suburban orphanage and later reclaims to involve in a criminal scheme. The son’s unusually high pain tolerance is exploited by his mother, who affectionately calls him a superhero.

Critics praise the film’s cinematography on par with acclaimed works by Zvyagintsev and highlight powerful acting transformations. The film won awards for Best Cinematography and Best Actress.

Distribution in Russia is yet to be decided.

5. Heart of the World

Screenwriter Natalia Meshchaninova, known for last year’s hit "Arrhythmia" and "Anna’s War," made her directing debut at Kinotavr in 2014 with a stark social drama set in Russia’s Arctic. Though her earlier film was barred from release due to language issues, she returned in 2018 with "Heart of the World," which won three awards including the top prize.

The film centers on a young veterinarian named Yegor living at a remote animal testing station amid wild foxes, reindeer, and badgers. Having left his alcoholic mother behind, Yegor seeks a new family with the station’s owner, his daughter, and a wounded dog.

In theaters from September 27.

6. Russian Demon

Controversial filmmaker Grigory Konstantinopolsky presented his boldest work yet at Kinotavr. Critics note that "Russian Demon" resonates with the styles of Tarantino and "American Psycho," while deeply engaging with Dostoevskian themes.

Set in modern Moscow, the story follows Svyatoslav, a young artist engaged to the daughter of a major Russian bank owner. Planning to open his own restaurant to support his future family, he faces numerous bureaucratic obstacles.

The film won Best Director and is expected to be released this year.

7. Deep Rivers

Graduates of Alexander Sokurov’s workshop continue to make waves in Russian cinema. After Kantemir Balagov’s "Closeness" won a prize at Cannes in 2017, Vladimir Bitokov earned the Best Debut award at Kinotavr for "Deep Rivers."

"Deep Rivers" tells the dark and expressive story of a wealthy logging family living in isolation who clash irreconcilably with nearby villagers. The film stands out as a unique example of the "Caucasian thriller" subgenre.

Distribution in Russia is yet to be determined.

8. Acid

Alexander Gorchilin, 26, a graduate of the Moscow Art Theatre School, received the festival’s second Best Debut award for "Acid." Known for his daring roles in works by Kirill Serebrennikov and Valeria Gai Germanika, Gorchilin’s directorial debut offers a sharp manifesto on the lives of today's youth.

Co-written with playwright Valery Pecheikin, the film follows two friends, Sasha and Petya, navigating parties, relationships, and drug use. Beneath their carefree exterior lies a growing sense of alienation and loneliness.

In theaters from October 4.

9. Calendar

The only film on this list without theatrical distribution, Igor Poplaukhin’s short film "Calendar" made a significant impact at Cannes, winning the second-highest prize in the student film competition. It also won Best Short Film at the Sochi festival.

The 30-minute tense narrative follows a middle-aged woman traveling, switching buses and rides, withholding her whereabouts from acquaintances. The purpose and destination remain a mystery for viewers to uncover.

Meanwhile, viewers can watch Poplaukhin’s earlier student work "22."

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