“Simple Man”, Yana Klimova-Yusupova – from August 25
The main character, orphaned Sasha (Philip Avdeev), plans to move to Spain with his girlfriend Laura (Agatha Muceniece). Abroad, the guys are waiting for a new happy life with their own apartment and a bar bought by the girl’s parents. On the eve of her departure, Sasha learns of the existence of her biological mother (Chulpan Khamatova). The man decides to visit the woman who left him in the maternity hospital 30 years ago, but once on the threshold of his house, he replaces the accumulated resentment with sympathy. An unfortunate woman whose life is as difficult as Sasha herself appears before him. Thus, the hero is faced with a difficult choice: to go to a new life or to try to deal with his past.
A Simple Man is the feature film debut of VGIK graduate Yana Klimova-Yusupova, who managed to assemble an impressive cast for her debut. The picture of external upheaval and internal turmoil suddenly touches the nerves of time and turns into a reflection of a choice one does not want to make, but which is impossible to escape.
“The Tower” (“Fall”), Scott Mann – from August 11
Rock climber Becky experiences the tragic death of her husband, who fell off a cliff during their joint climb. Since then, the girl is afraid of heights and her own fear. Becky’s friend reassures her that fear cannot be overcome without looking directly in the eye, and offers a solution: Climb a 600-foot radio tower where Becky can scatter her husband’s ashes. But a perfectly planned ascent turns into the worst nightmare: the girls find themselves at the top with no opportunity to go down.
Heir to “Tower”, “Rock Climber” and “127 Hours”, working on the same plane as his older brothers. This is an extreme thriller designed to be watched on the big screen. As befits a good shot, the movie will test your nervous system for strength.
Earwig (earwig), Lusil Hadzikhalilovich – from August 4
Albert looks at Mia with his ice teeth, so he hides from the others and never leaves his apartment. But one day, Albert is given a task: to prepare the boy for a meeting with the outside world in a week.
The Toronto Film Festival entry is in many ways reminiscent of the Swedish thriller Let Me In, about a vampire girl being watched by a grown man. This is the same aesthetic horror movie in which it is not the mysterious main character who scares, but the people around him – friendly on the outside, but evil on the inside.
Movie Story: Next Generation Mark Cousins - August 11
The project examines the most important films of the last decade and understands the global trends in cinema in the digital era: how cinema is changing in the era of the pandemic and streaming platforms, and what awaits it in the future.
Documentary producer Mark Cousins is well known to European audiences: In the past, his work Women Making Film and Orson Welles’ Eyes won awards at the European Film Academy and the Cannes Film Festival. The director’s new work is a tribute to true cinephiles who are immersed in the world of big cinema and want to learn about how real life and its script are currently shaping our common future.
Killer Montage (Coupé), Michel Hazanavicius – from 4 August
An aspiring director (Romain Doris) and a not-so-experienced film crew sign up for a pilot project to make a live-action horror movie. But during the filming, everything goes wrong: the main actress exaggerates, portrays horror, her partner in the film became an orgy, and real zombies suddenly attacked the producers themselves.
An unexpected garbage horror movie by Michel Hazanavicius (“The Artist”) opened the Cannes Film Festival in 2022. On the eve of the world premiere, the picture managed to change its name several times and settled on the “Murdering Montage”. As part of the review, the tape didn’t become a big deal, but was shot as a genre story. A fun movie for a night out with friends that fans of Shaun of the Dead and The Dead Don’t Die will love.
“After. Happily Ever After (After Ever Happy) by Castile Landon – August 25
The final (hopefully) episode of the After series is about Tessa and Hardin, who are very different but love each other. The first is no longer that naive girl lost in love, the second is increasingly sinking into her own hell. Tessa, who dreams of saving her lover, fears losing herself, and Hardin is tired of hurting those he loves.
Many movie adaptations of Anna Todd’s book series can be cited (both a predictable plot and cardboard characters), but they certainly can’t be blamed for one thing – the power of audience love. If this story continues to be this popular, someone still needs it.
“Everybody hates Johan” (“Alle hater Johan”), Hallvar Witse – from 25 August
The hero Johan is the last member of the extraordinary Grande family, whose passion for pyrotechnics pits the local community against them. The man lost his family early, turned into a “white crow” and from a young age is unrequitedly in love with the neighbor’s daughter Solvor. Rejected by his native village, Johan conquers America and returns years later to his homeland to reciprocate with the one who stole his heart and peace.
Director Hallvar Vitse is the winner of the Cannes Film Festival and one of the leading figures of contemporary Norwegian cinema. His films, oddly enough, always find the perfect balance between the comic and the dramatic, and their characters are strangers who make them want to embark on the most amazing journeys.
Darkchild: First Kill (Orphan: First Kill), William Brent Bell – August 11
Lina (Isabelle Fuhrman) escaped from a psychiatric hospital and is now heading to America, posing as Esther, the missing daughter of wealthy parents. In the new role, the protagonist faces an unexpected obstacle – the foster mother (Julia Style) suspects the “prodigal daughter” of cheating.
The film is the sequel to the 2009 horror movie Dark Child and continues to explore dysfunctional family relationships. The tape, perhaps, is not a prominent representative of the genre, but against the general background of the imposing summer film distribution, it stands out with the predominance of entertaining holiday comedies.
King’s Daughter Sean McNamara – from 11 August
From infancy, Marie (“Skins” Kaya Scodelario), daughter of King Louis XIV (Pierce Brosnan), grew up in a convent where he never instilled humility. With his daughter at the mercy of the nuns, the middle-aged king himself decides to find a way to live forever. The court scientist finds a solution – a mermaid caught at sea is brought to the palace, which hides the source of immortality. At the same time, unaware of her relationship with the monarch, Marie is summoned to court, and a strong friendship soon develops between her and the captive mermaid.
Director Sean McNamara’s (“Soul Surfer”) new work is the perfect family movie where children’s fairy tales intertwine with adult reality.
“Fear the Dark” (“Ogre”), Arnaud Malherbe – from 4 August
In a remote village, a boy disappears without a trace, but after a few months the locals almost forget what happened. One day, a young teacher, Chloe, arrives at a local school and tries to start a new life with her young son Jules. A series of mysterious events suggest that the appearance of a child may once again awaken an ancient evil lurking in the surrounding forests.
Director Arno Malherbe has long and confidently worked on the territory of the mystical thriller. Her latest work continues to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche and the fearlessness of true maternal love.