Archive of films Mysterium. Occupation / Okkupacija, misterii

Belarus
2004, 90 min

Section: East of the West - Competition
Year: 2005

Three stories (Adam and Eve, Mother, Father) relate the tragic situation of occupied Belorussia, whose people were exposed to terror by both Nazi occupiers and partisan groups directed by Moscow. Some saved themselves in collaboration, some resisted, some fled into seclusion - few maintained their humanity.

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debut, Mysterium.Occupation (Okkupaciya, misterii), was banned in Belarus and under pressure from its government, was withdrawn from planned screening at the Moscow IFF.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.

Contacts

Carmen Video
Zoologicheskaja 1, of. 111, 123 242, Moscow
Russia
Tel: +7 095 254 1353
Fax: +7 095 254 0817
E-mail: [email protected]

Studio Navigator
Slavinskogo St. 6-57, 220012, Minsk
Belarus
Tel: +375 17 296 664 898
Fax: +375 17 299 0789
E-mail: [email protected]

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About the film

Color, 35 mm

Section:	East of the West - Competition

Director:	Andrei Kudinenko
Screenplay:	Aleksander Kačan/Alexander Katchan
Dir. of Photography:	Pavel Zubritskij/Pavel Zubritsky
Music:	Andrej Volkov/Andrei Volkov
Editor:	Aleksander Debaljuk/Alexander Debalyouk
Producer:	Aleksander Debaljuk/Alexander Debalyouk
Production:	Studio Navigator
Cast:	Aleksander Kolbyšev/Alexander Kolbyshev, Anatolij Kot/Anatoly Kot, Alexander Molchanov, Světlana Zelenkovskaja/Svetlana Zelenkovskaya
Contact:	Carmen Video, Studio Navigator

www:	www.partisanfilm.narod.ru

Guests

Andrei Kudinenko

Film Director