You think you're about to die. Your whole life floods by. All nine minutes of it.
The young man experiences a breakup with his beloved girl and remembers the main fear in his life inspired by the first teacher. A distant school and recent events sweep through his head at the moment when he thinks he is about to die.
Editing
Rapid-fire cuts that actually feel like drowning in memory.
Acting
Devonin's panic is uncomfortably real for nine minutes.
Direction
Saponova weaponizes brevity—no frame wasted.
Director
Yuliya Saponova
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Saponova shot this as her VGIK graduation film; it played Cannes' Critics' Week.
The title's double meaning—physically choked vs. emotionally suffocated by memory—lands harder on rewatch when you notice the sound design literally restricts breathing room.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
RU
