The Shanghai International Film Festival is slated to feature a distinctive selection from the KION online cinema with the release of Nina, a drama led by Yulia Peresild and Evgeny Tsyganov. This film stands out as the sole Russian entry at the festival, signaling a moment of cultural exchange and cinematic pride. Oksana Bychkova helms the project as director, steering a story that blends intimate character study with broader human tensions. The screenplay credits go to Lyubov Mulmenko, whose writing brings a nuanced, emotionally resonant arc to the screen. The ensemble cast includes Kirill Kyaro, Andre Chichinadze, and several other prominent performers, whose performances contribute to a film that balances personal stakes with a larger artistic vision. The project marks a notable collaboration between acting talents and a production team dedicated to presenting a contemporary Russian voice on an international stage. As the festival program unfolds, Nina is positioned to attract attention not only for its performances but also for its thoughtful approach to storytelling in a global context.
The narrative follows 40-year-old Nina, a woman who embodies a stable family life. She enjoys a harmonious marriage and shares a joyful life with her partner and their child, while her day job as a speech therapist provides a grounded sense of purpose and routine. Everything seems ordinary until a phone call from a former partner, Ruslan, turns the routine on its head. Ruslan reveals a terminal diagnosis and asks Nina to travel to Tbilisi, a request that introduces a moral and emotional crossroad. Her husband trusts Nina deeply, recognizing her capacity for resilience, empathy, and decisive action. This trust becomes the catalyst for a journey that tests loyalties, challenges assumptions, and ultimately invites the central character to confront the limits and possibilities of love, duty, and self-discovery. The film examines how a single decision can ripple through a life built on years of care, companionship, and shared history, inviting viewers to reflect on the cost and courage involved when a familiar path suddenly diverges. Nina’s voyage is depicted with a humanist lens, focusing on inner conflicts, relational dynamics, and the quiet strength that sustains a person in the face of uncertainty.
Previously, attention has turned to the production of a comedy titled The Groom, which features Nikolai Nagiyev and Dmitri Nagiev in lead roles. The story centers on an archetypal husband and father named Oleg, portrayed by Jan Tsapnik, whose life operates on a carefully planned timetable designed to accommodate the expectations of family, work, and social obligations. The film unfolds as Alena, the daughter of Oleg, played by Daria Petrichenko, develops a complicated bond with Anton, a character brought to life by Dmitry Nagiev. Anton is not simply a friend from the past but someone who shares a history that binds him to the family with both warmth and turbulence. The plot navigates the tensions that arise when long-held friendships and the responsibilities of parenthood collide, creating a delicate balance between humor, sentiment, and the honest complexities of human relationships. As these characters intersect, the narrative explores themes of loyalty, growth, and the unpredictable nature of love across different generations, all interlaced with moments of levity and genuine emotion that resonate with a broad audience. The Groom promises a blend of lightheartedness and earnest reflection, inviting audiences to consider how ordinary moments accumulate into meaningful outcomes over time.
In the broader context of festival circuits, Nina seeks to establish a strong presence among contemporary Russian cinema showcases, highlighting a storytelling approach that intertwines intimate character drama with universal questions about responsibility and change. The film invites viewers to consider how personal decisions can redefine a life and how support networks—family, friends, and partners—shape the path forward in moments of crisis. The Shanghai International Film Festival provides a platform for such narratives to reach international audiences, encouraging cross-cultural dialogue and appreciation for diverse cinematic voices. While Nina crafts a careful portrait of resilience, The Groom offers a contrasting lens on family life, humor, and intergenerational dynamics, together painting a richer picture of modern Russian storytelling on the world stage. The festival’s audience can look forward to performances that convey authenticity and emotional depth, anchored by strong directing choices and a thoughtful script that speaks to shared human experiences across borders.