Curzon Artificial Eye: Two Andrey Zvyagintsev Films Heading to Blu-ray
Posted January 29, 2018 03:40 PM by Webmaster
British distributors Curzon Artificial Eye have informed us that they are preparing two films from acclaimed Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev for Blu-ray release in April: The Return (2003) and The Banishment (2007).
Synopsis: Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev makes his feature debut with this haunting, poignant family drama. Teenage brothers Andrei (Vladimir Garin) and Ivan (Ivan Dobronravov) have lived with their mother (Natalya Vdovina) and grandmother (Galina Petrova) for as long as they can remember when their long-lost father (Konstantin Lavronenko) suddenly turns up after a twelve-year absence. While Andrei seems happy to see him, the younger Ivan is reluctant and suspicious of his father's motives. The three take a boat to a deserted island in a remote lake in the north of Russia - a trip which turns into an endurance test as the boys struggle to come to terms with their father's presence and cruel, mysterious ways. The film won the Golden Lion award at the 2003 Venice Film Festival.
Synopsis: Set in an unnamed location and time, Andrei Zvyagintsev's truly compelling, mesmerisingly photographed drama follows Alex (Konstantin Lavronenko), Vera (Maria Bonnevie), their young son and daughter, and Alex's brother Mark (Alexander Baluyev), as they relocate from the city to Alex and Mark's father's old house in the country.
Once there, Vera tells Alex that she is pregnant by another man, causing Alex to face huge personal dilemmas, wondering whether to forgive her or exact revenge. Acting on advice from his malevolent brother, Alex demands that Vera terminate the pregnancy. But when complications suddenly arise, Alex's weakening grasp on reality threatens to place events beyond his control.
STREET DATE: APRIL 24.
*In the United States, local distributors Kino Lorber and Zeitgeist Films will screen in select theaters across the country The Return, The Banishment, and Elena.