Mysterium. Occupation

Colour, 35 mm
Belarus, 2004, 90 min
Section: East of the West - competitive
Oficiální stránky: www.partisanfilm.narod.ru

Synopsis

Three stories (“Adam and Eve”, “Mother,” “Father”) relate the tragic situation of occupied Belorussia where the terror of the Nazis clashed with partisan groups directed by Moscow. The disoriented inhabitants merely tried to survive. Some collaborated, some resisted, some deserted, some chose isolation. Violent massacres crushed the illusion of quiet everyday life in both town and country. Women and children were dragged into the cruel confrontation. Cynical, hardened warriors recruited rash young enthusiasts. The difference between political and mercenary motives faded. The significance and sense of moral keepsakes of the past, present and future got lost. Few stood the test of humanity.... The evocation of this shocking reality has an apocalyptic dimension, but Bible citations lend it an aspect of parable. The director calls it “an existential drama with elements of thriller.”
  

About the director

Andrei Kudinenko (b. 1971) graduated from the Belarusian Academy of Art in Minsk (1998). He has shot a number of short dramatic and experimental films: Egorka’s Heart (Serce Egorki, 1995), Little Joke (Malenky zhart, 1996), Hide and Seek (Gra u schovanki, 1997), Valentin Vinogradov’s Dreams (Mrii Valentina Vinogradova, 1998), Ram (Baran, 1999) and Planet XX (Planeta XX, 2000). In 2004 his feature debut, Mysterium.Occupation (Okkupaciya, misterii), was banned in Belarus and under pressure from its government, was withdrawn from planned screening at the Moscow IFF. It had its world premiere at the 2004 Rotterdam IFF, which had financially supported the production.