- year : 2023
- country : Russia
- timing : 8:04'
- genre : fiction film
written by Yulia Saponova, Yulia Koloshenko
directed by Yulia Saponova
produced by Asya Temnikova, Yulia Saponova, Igor Mishin
DoP Alexey Petrushkevich
music by Sofya Romanova
sound by Alexey Gaidai, Alexey Khasanov
editor Alyona Galushko
cast: Alexander Yatsenko, Elizabeth Damsker, Artem Silin
During casting, the director finds a perfect match, but there is a small nuance: the actor has Down syndrome. And while the director is trying to figure out how to fuse the uninvited candidate, he actually manages to change his life.
- Moscow International Film Festival (2023, Russia, Moscow)
- Film Festival “Seize the Film" (2023, Serbia, Novi Sad)
- Street Film Festival (2023, Russia)
- International Film Festival “East&West. Classics and avant-garde” (2023, Russia, Orenburg)
- Volgograd Torch Russian Film Festival (2023, Russia, Volgograd)
- LAMPA International Film Festival of socially oriented short films, videos and social advertising (2023, Russia, Perm)
- Moscow International Film Festival "Budem Zhit" (Let's live) (2023, Russia, Moscow)
- Luchezarniy Angel International Charity Film Festival (2023, Russia, Moscow)
- Vision International short film festival (2023, Russia, Kemerovo)
- Arouca Film Festival (2023, Portugal, Arouca)
- WINDOW International short film festival (2023, Russia, Omsk)
- We Care Film Festival (2023, India, Goa)
- International Film Festival “Northern Character” (2023, Russia, Murmansk)
- Gorodets Film Festival named after St. Alexandr Nevsky (2023, Russia, Gorodets)
- Golden Eagle Award, Long list (2023, Russia, Moscow)
- International Charity Film Festival “Radiant Angel” (2023, Russia, Moscow)
- International Film Festival "You are not alone" (2023, Russia, Yaroslavl)
- International Festival of social advertising in defense of life and family "Ladoshka", 2nd place in the nomination "Best short film" (2023, Belarus, Minsk)
- International Film Festival about Human Rights “Stalker” (2023, Russia, Moscow)
- Russian Elementary Cinema [REC] (2023, Russia, Saint-Petersburg)
- Arctic International Film Festival "Golden raven" (2024, Russia, Anadyr)
Director’s statement
Sometimes it seems to us that we only have one alternative before us: something bad and something very bad. We strive for goals approved by society and our environment. But maybe, in fact, we need something completely different?
In my work, I often come into contact with non-standard characters. Usually, they are called “people with special features”, but I would call them people without borders. In the film, I wanted to share with the audience the discoveries and inspiration that my friends with Down syndrome give me.
ABOUT THE FILM DIRECTOR:
Yulia Saponova was born on 31.01.1969 in Moscow. Graduated from St.Petersburg State University. A professional photographer. In 2013 graduated from the Studio of Individual Directing (MIR). In 2014 graduated from the Moscow Film School as an editor. In 2016 graduated from the Moscow Film School as a film director. Among the director's works - commercials and music videos.
FILMOGRAPHY:
2023 - "An Absolute Zero", short film
2020 - "Eat an Elephant", documentary
2020 - "I Dream of making friends", documentary
2020 - "Zaonezhane", documentary
2020 - "Veps", documentary
2019 - "House of Books", documentary
2018 - "Birthday", short student film \ diploma
2016 - "Choked", short student film
2014 - "Pumpkin", short student film \ debut
