Directed by: Andrej Zvjagincev
Script: Andrej Zvjagincev, Oleg Negin
Producer: Ekaterina Shneyderova
Production company: NON-STOP Production
Cinematography: Mikhail Krichman
Editing: Anna Mass
Cast: Andrei Smirnov, Nadezhda Markina, Yelena Lyadova, Alexey Rozin, Vassili Michkov, Igor Ogurtsov, Anna Gulyarenko, Yevgenia Shevchenko, Oksana Semenova, Rustam Akhmadeev, Yuri Borisov

Format: 35 mm
Running time: 109'

Synopsis
Elena and Vladimir are an older couple, they come from different backgrounds. Vladimir is a wealthy and cold man, Elena comes from a modest milieu and is a docile wife. They have met late in life and each one has children from previous marriages. Elena’s son is unemployed, unable to support his own family and he is constantly asking Elena for money. Vladimir’s daughter is a careless young woman who has a distant relationship with her father. A heart attack puts Vladimir in hospital, where he realizes that his remaining time is limited. A brief but somehow tender reunion with his daughter leads him to make an important decision: she will be the only heiress of his wealth. Back home he announces it to Elena. Her hopes to financially help her son suddenly vanish. The shy and submissive housewife then comes up with a plan to give her son and grandchildren a real chance in life.

Awards and Festivals
Cannes Film Festival 2011 - Un Certain Regard – Special Jury Prize
Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2011 - Best Performance by an Actress (Nadezhda Markina)
Ghent International Film Festival 2011 - Grand Prix
Nika Awards for Best Actress, Best Cinematographer, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress (Elena Lyadova)
RiverRun International Film Festival 2012 - Jury Prize
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2011
European Film Awards 2011

Directors Biography
Andrei Zvyagintsev, born 1964, is a Russian film director and actor. In 1984 he graduated from the drama school in Novosibirsk as an actor. In 2003, he directed his first feature film The Return, which received several awards, including a Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. His second feature film The Banishment premiered at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for a Palme d’Or. Both films were screend at Zagreb Film Festival and awarded with Golden Pram award. Elena is his third feature film.

Location and screening schedule:
TUŠKANAC CINEMA, Tuesday, October 16th at 21.00
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, Wednesday, October 17th at 19.00
TUŠKANAC CINEMA, Saturday, October 20th at 19.00