A 22-minute Russian film where friendship and ambition crash into each other—hard.
Aspiring actress Sonya, having lost all hopes of getting an audition for the eminent artistic director of the theater, gets a job on the set of a film in which he is taking part. The girl, who is in love with her, helps the girl get closer to the artist, Vanya, an assistant sound engineer and part-time talented playwright who wrote a play especially for Sonya. However, due to excitement, all attempts by the inexperienced actress to express herself turn into awkward incidents. Time is running out, and soon Sonya will be faced with a choice: stay true to her friendship or carve out a place for herself in the sun.
Acting
Rebenok's physically awkward desperation is painfully real.
Writing
Meta-theatrical structure mirrors Sonya's performative spiral.
Director
Irina Prokhorova
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Short-form prestige dramas are having a moment in Russian cinema, often premiering at festivals before theatrical expansion.
Khabenskiy's cameo as the artistic director reportedly wrapped in under two hours—his star power used as narrative shorthand for unattainable success.
RU
