Archive of films Mermaid / Rusalka
Russia
2007, 115 min
Section:
Forum of Independents - Competition
Year: 2008
A modern variation on the fairy tale about the little mermaid. A kaleidoscope of images from the life of 18-year-old Alisa, whose wishes remain unfulfilled, despite the fact that she has supernatural powers. A hit on the Russian film scene last year, the film also won awards at foreign festivals (Berlin, Sundance).
Synopsis
18-year-old Alisa was conceived in the sea where her mother chanced upon a sailor, yet she grew up only with her mother and grandmother in a little house on the seashore. After a series of disappointments, she decides to stop speaking and then spends her school years in a special school, where she discovers her ability to foresee the future and make wishes come true. At the age of 17 she leaves for Moscow to continue her studies. One evening she jumps into the river to save a young man, Sasha, who tries to drown himself, unable to cope with his stressful and ambitious career in the fierce world of commerce. She falls in love with him but her feelings are unrequited. Or perhaps she is mistaken? This modern variation on the fairy tale about the little mermaid was a hit on the Russian film scene last year. The emotively vibrant kaleidoscope of images from the heroine’s life is dominated by a stirring soundtrack and a remarkable performance from Masha Shalaeva in the title role.
About the director
Anna Melikyan (b. 1976, Baku) grew up in Yerevan and currently lives in Moscow. In 2001 she gained work experience in various post-production companies in Germany. She graduated in film direction from the Russian State Film Institute (VGIK) in 2002, where her main teachers were Sergey Soloviev and Valery Rubinchik. Anna Melikyan works in both film and television, and also writes the screenplays for her projects. Mermaid was preceded by the fantasy film Mars (2004), an original take on life in contemporary Russia.
Contacts
Central Partnership
15,1st Zachatievsky Lane, 119 034, Moscow
Russia
Tel: +7 495 777 49 61
Fax: +7 495 799 56 70
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.centpart.com
About the film
Color, 35 mm
Section: | Forum of Independents - Competition |
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Director: | Anna Melikyan |
Screenplay: | Anna Melikjan / Anna Melikyan, Natalija Nazarova / Natalia Nazarova |
Dir. of Photography: | Oleg Kiričenko / Oleg Kirichenko |
Music: | Igor Vdovin |
Producer: | Ruben Dišdišjan / Ruben Dishdishyan |
Production: | Central Partnership |
Cast: | Maša Šalajeva / Masha Shalaeva, Jevgenij Cyganov / Yevgeniy Tsyganov, Maria Sokova, Nasťa Doncova / Nastya Dontsova |
Contact: | Central Partnership |
www: | www.centpart.com |
Guests
Asya Freidkina
Anna Melikyan
Film Director, Film Director