Elderly Aleksandra visits her Russian soldier grandson, Denis, at the Chechen war front, providing comfort as she tours his army. All the while, Denis ponders the reason for her unexpected appearance.
Acting
Galina Vishnevskaya, real-life opera legend, devastating in her only film role.
Direction
Sokurov's wandering camera finds humanity in military machinery.
Cinematography
Dusty Chechen light that makes war look exhausted, not explosive.
Director
Aleksandr Sokurov
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Galina Vishnevskaya was a Soviet opera superstar who insisted on casting real soldiers, not actors.
Sokurov filmed in a genuine Russian military base during active Chechen conflict; some 'extras' were actual deployed soldiers.
RU
