To be somewhere precise yet stand nowhere at all, to embody one’s convictions, yet never miss the essential, to rise up and be present at the critical moment, to bear witness to a world waiting to tell itself and be retold, to come and go, both at once, abandoning reckless speed, but rather gently touching the human soul with images, with whispered words, the cracks in the wall of life: this is the choreography masterfully created in the film Beyond Territories, Valerie Osouf’s portrait of the world acclaimed filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako.

Abderrahmane Sissako: Beyond Territories

In the world, there is a city-port Odessa, which was specially created as a refuge for people of different nationalities and religions. Humor is a special language that helps people from Odessa to communicate and get along with each other. Legends are spreading about Odessa's humor and accent. But - a paradox - people are constantly leaving it. It is loved, but it is left as a child leaves his mother. On the example of this city and its inhabitants, we wanted to understand - why people flee from their cities. We tried to find the answer taking pictures of Odessa citizens in Germany, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Austria, France and other places. Michael Zhvanetskij, Roman Kartsev, Leonid Barats and Rostislav Khait  Victor Loshak,  Oksana Fandera, Valerij Todotovskij, Mikhail and Anatoly Kontush and many others are telling their stories and giving their opinions on what is the phenomenon of the city by the Black Sea.

Into_nation of Big Odessa

After the release of "Nostalgia", Andrei Tarkovsky runs out his Soviet authorities permission to work abroad: he has to go back home. But he understands from the messages of some friends and colleagues that his life in Russia would be even tougher than before. So he then decides to break with Soviet authorities and, a year before the Milan Conference of 1984 during which he will announce publicly his decision, he leaves his friends that are hosting him in Rome and takes refuge in a secret location.

Il dono

Andrei Tarkovsky is the most famous Russian director, often called a genius during his lifetime. He made relatively few films, but each has become a classic of world cinema, including "Andrei Rublev," "Solaris," "Mirror," and "Stalker." His films seem to be crafted from air, water, fire, deep emotions, and even his own dreams. This art is profoundly sincere and confessional, but what about the creator behind it? What was this god-like figure like, living a mortal life filled with weaknesses, fears, and doubts?

Andrei Tarkovsky: Hard to Be a God

In Осtober, 2015, Marlen Khutsiev was to turn 90. The master had no intention of retiring, he was working at the new movie, which he had been contemplating for years. The crew was lucky to be allowed on the set of this film about the relationship of two Titans of Russian literature, Leo Tolstoy and Anton Chekhov. The shooting process, recorded over the period of many days, constitutes the main part of this documentary entitled «Khutsiev. Action Starts!». It also includes Khutsiev’s reflections on the nature of creative work and his dramatic creative biography.

Khutsiev. Action Starts!

The documentary film "Cinematic Language of the Era: Marlen Khutsiev" is timed to coincide with the upcoming centenary of the master. In our film, talking about the life, work and dreams of Marlen Khutsiev, we focus the viewer's attention on the master's unique film language. And through cinematic language we reveal the director's personality.