Elena and Vladimir are an older couple, they come from different backgrounds. Vladimir is a wealthy and cold man, Elena comes from a modest milieu and is a docile wife. They have met late in life and each one has children from previous marriages. Elena’s son is unemployed, unable to support his own family and he is constantly asking Elena for money.
Vladimir’s daughter is a careless young woman who has a distant relationship with her father. A heart attack puts Vladimir in hospital, where he realizes that his remaining time is limited. A brief but somehow tender reunion with his daughter leads him to make an important decision: she will be the only heiress of his wealth. Back home he announces it to Elena. Her hopes to financially help her son suddenly vanish. The shy and submissive housewife then comes up with a plan to give her son and grandchildren a real chance in life.
“ELENA allowed me to explore a central idea of modern days: survival of the fittest, survival at any cost.
My film is a contemporary drama which tries to subject the viewer to eternal questions about life and death.
Deep down inside, each human being is devastatingly alone. Solitude is the beginning, the end, and the thin red line that runs through the life of every human being. Humanitarian ideas in the modern world are being devalued as we speak leading people to turn inwards, gravitating towards their ancient instincts.
A gentle, sweet, feminine woman, full of love and care who changes herself into a murderer and then repents in a temple... How is that for an image of the Apocalypse?”
Distributor:
Pimedate Ööde Filmifestival MTÜ
Director:
Andrei Zvjagintsev
