You think you're about to die. Your whole life floods by. All nine minutes of it.
The young man experiences a breakup with his beloved girl and remembers the main fear in his life inspired by the first teacher. A distant school and recent events sweep through his head at the moment when he thinks he is about to die.
Editing
Rapid-fire cuts that actually feel like drowning in memory.
Acting
Devonin's panic is uncomfortably real for nine minutes.
Direction
Saponova weaponizes brevity—no frame wasted.
Director
Yuliya Saponova
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Saponova shot this as her VGIK graduation film; it played Cannes' Critics' Week.
The title's double meaning—physically choked vs. emotionally suffocated by memory—lands harder on rewatch when you notice the sound design literally restricts breathing room.
RU
