Captain Volkonogov Escaped

Local title
Kapten Volkonogovi põgenemine
Title in Russian
Капитан Волконогов бежал
Original title
Kapitan Volkonogov bezhal
Director
Natasha Merkulova, Aleksey Chupov
Country
Russian Federation, France, Estonia
Year
2021
Festival
Kinoff 2021
Programme
Official Selection - Out of Competition, Main programme of Kinoff
Genre
thriller
Subject
Society, betrayal, history, politics

Fresh out of its Venetian world premiere, this stylish lesson of imaginative Russian history, referenced to “The Fugitive”, “Enemy of the State”, “Catch Me If You Can”, “Bourne”, is visionary thrilling grotesque spectacle through the eyes of Estonian cinematography genius Mart Taniel, supported by lights by Taivo Tenso and sounds by Matis Rei.

Leningrad, 1938. Merciless torturer and executioner Fyodor Volkonogov was a loyal servant of Stalin’s NKVD before crucial social changes. Now the chief punisher must run and hide from heartbreaking betrayals and imminent extermination. He seeks redemption and forgiveness to secure a place in paradise and escape the purgatory. Gravely wounded major pursuer Golovnia will not stop until Volkonogov is knifed and silenced forever.

The blackly funny chase uncovers paradoxes of how the Ministry of Culture of Russia agreed to finance such a bold and slapstick cat and mouse manhunt, which reminds brutal governmental crimes and the bloody punishment of their own persecuted officers after suddenly awaken courage.

Fastly rising Russian wunderkind Yuriy Borisov is a man who surprises everyone again, but has still not recieved a well-deserved reward for fabulous acting. In their 3rd feature, the Russian couple of directors wittily mock the absurdities of Soviet patriotism in adrenaline-packed action sequences and supernatural dreamlike fantasies, deeply influenced by literature treasures. This film will definitely benefit from repeated viewings.

Edvinas Pukšta

Recommended age 18+

Director
Natasha Merkulova, Aleksey Chupov
Screenwriter
Natasha Merkulova, Aleksey Chupov, Mart Taniel
Cast
Yuriy Borisov, Timofey Tribuntsev, Aleksandr Yatsenko, Nikita Kukushkin, Natlya Kudryashova
Producer
Valeriy Fedorovich, Evgeniy Nikishov, Alexander Plotnikov
DoP
Mart Taniel
Editor
François Gédigier
Music
Elena Stroganova, Matis Rei
Production
Place of Power, Lookfilm, Homeless Bob Productions, Kinovista
World sales
Memento International
Runtime
Language
Russian
Subtitles
Estonian, English
Other festivals
Venice
Director
Natasha Merkulova

Nataša Merkulova (snd 1979) on režissöör ja stsenarist, kes on filmihariduse omandanud Moskvas ja Irkutskis ning töötanud Irkutski televisioonis saatejuhina. Koos abikaasa režissöör Aleksei Tšupoviga on ta teinud koos kolm täispikka filmi, sh „Intiimsed kehaosad“ (2013, linastus ka PÖFFil), mis pälvis kõrge tunnustuse rahvusvahelisel areenil ja tõi neile üle 30 auhinna. Järgnes film „Mees, kes üllatas kõiki“ (2018), mis esilinastus Veneetsias, nagu ka nende kolmas ühine film „Kapten Volkonogovi põgenemine“.

Intimnye mesta (Intiimsed kehaosad, PÖFF 2013), Chelovek, kotoryy udivil vsekh (Mees, kes üllatas kõiki, PÖFF 2018), Kapitan Volkonogov bezhal (Captain Volkonogov Escaped, 2021)

Director
Aleksey Chupov

Aleksei Tšupov (snd 1973) on režissöör ja stsenarist, kes on õppinud nii Moskvas kui ka Ameerika Ühendriikides. Ta alustas karjääri teleajakirjanikuna, filme hakkas tegema koos abikaasa Nataša Merkulovaga; tänaseks on nad teinud koos kolm kõrget tunnustust pälvinud täispikka mängufilmi, millest viimane, „Kapten Volkonogovi põgenemine“, esilinastus tänavusel Veneetsia filmifestivalil.

Intimnye mesta (Intiimsed kehaosad, PÖFF 2013), Chelovek, kotoryy udivil vsekh (Mees, kes üllatas kõiki, PÖFF 2018), Kapitan Volkonogov bezhal (Captain Volkonogov Escaped, 2021)

Presented by

Russian Film Festival

Russian Film Festival

Roskino

Roskino

Screenings

iSense hall Coca-Cola Plaza
Screening100102 / Kapten Volkonogovi põgenemine
SubtitlesEnglish, Estonian
Q&A guestsNatasha Merkulova - Director, Aleksey Chupov - Director
Q&A duration
Screening duration
Hall 2 Apollo Kino Astri
Screening163204 / Kapten Volkonogovi põgenemine
SubtitlesEnglish, Estonian
Screening duration