- year : 2023
- country : Kyrgyzstan
- timing : 16:59'
- genre : documentary
- production : American University of Central Asia
directed by Nikita Lovetsky
DoPs Nikita Lovetsky, Valeria Radchenko
sound by Vladislav Stoma
editor Nikita Lovetsky
production designer Valeria Radchenko
cast: Galina Kushnikova
For several years now, Galina Petrovna has not left her house in Mayevka Village near Bishkek. There is a cozy blue house with fish garland in which a lonely grandma Galina tells us a story about her ghostly husband who died fifteen years ago. Every day she takes care of the house and even runs a small business. She sells chicken eggs and does laundry for some of her neighbors in her own washing machine. In a house full of pets, Galina Petrovna tells us about her alcoholic husband, pain and a new life after his death.
- Baiqonyr International Film Festival (2023, Kazakhstan, Almaty)
- DokuBaku International Documentary Film Festival (2023, Azerbaijan, Baku)
- Vision International Short Film and Animation Festival (2023, Russia, Kemerovo)
- Baku International Short Film Festival, Best Documentary (2023, Azerbaijan, Baku)
- International festival-workshop of film schools “Kinoproba” (2023, Russia, Yekaterinburg)
- International Documentary Film Festival on Human Rights "Bir Duino - Kyrgyzstan", Best film in the competition program "Breakthrough" (2023, Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek)
- Bastau International Student and Debut Film Festival (2023, Kazakhstan, Almaty)
- Youth Short Film Festival “Hazelnut” (2024, Russia, Moscow)
- Artdokfest International Documentary Film Festival (2024, Russia)
- Forum of young cinema of the CIS countries "Umut" (2024, Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek)
- Chelkinofest International Film Festival (2024, Russia, Chelyabinsk)
- Student Spring Film Festival, Prize in the nomination "Best Portrait" (2024, Kazakhstan, Almaty)
Director’s statement
There are several main reasons why this project exists and why I was motivated to do this particular film:
1. The general idea was to show the problem of long-term gender-based violence and abuse, to involve the problem of uncontrolled alcoholism in society and its consequences.
2. The most important thing that I find motivating in this project is the main character. Her cheerfulness and at first glance lightness in relation to problems both shock and inspire. Her courage in statements, regardless of age, demonstrates a youthful spirit and incredible courage in front of herself and the camera, to which she speaks without a drop of embarrassment. There was a huge motivation to show a person the way she is - bright, sane, mischievous, but at the same time independent and learned to solve her everyday problems on her own.
3. I am directly connected with Galina Petrovna - she is not my own grandmother, but she is part of my family and every meeting with her within the territory of her house is some incredible excitement and magic. Being in this location seems to create the conditions for the birth of cinema. These are her unique speech, articulation, and the world around her - animals, birds, mysterious details - all this adds fascination both for me and the viewer.
ABOUT THE FILM DIRECTOR:
Nikita Lovetsky was born on 17.12.2000 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. In 2023, he graduated from the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) at the Faculty of TV, Cinema and Media Arts. Also an exchange student at Bard College, New York (Spring 2022). Currently working in the film industry.
FILMOGRAPHY:
2023 - "Galina Petrovna", short student film / debut
