Director: 

Andrei Zaitsev

Genre: 

Drama / Romance

Country/Region of production: 

Russia

Synopsis:

The film tells the story of an elderly intellectual couple living in St. Petersburg, Russia. Both experienced World War II in their childhood. Now their children have emigrated abroad, leaving the two to rely on each other, yet their loneliness is hard to conceal. The film captures the couple's wisdom, optimism, calmness, patience and tolerance, as well as their pure love for each other and for life. Such qualities are increasingly rare in today's world, especially among the younger generation. That is why the two elderly people and the warmth of their home have deeply touched those who feel lonely and crave comfort.

Why we recommend it:

The film offers a moving reflection on absence and companionship: wartime memories and their children living abroad have left deep marks on the couple's lives, yet the director chooses not to dwell on the sorrow of such losses. Instead, he shows how the elderly pair maintains calm and hope amid their losses. This delicate portrayal of old age carries the enduring grace of the intellectual spirit, while also resonating with the universal pain of family separation in modern society.

Poetic, understated storytelling and masterful performances: The leads vividly embody the intellectual residents of St. Petersburg, shaped by war and time, with performances that are tender, expressive, and deeply powerful. Featuring a gentle, restrained narrative and Russia's distinctive austere visual aesthetic, the film invites viewers to quietly experience the profound depth of the couple's life journey.