A drama titled The Season of Winter, released online by Premier, centers on a mother and daughter whose distance grows during years of misunderstanding and separation. The story unfolds as the two women travel from estrangement to a fragile, hopeful closeness when the mother receives a difficult diagnosis.
In the plot, the mother and daughter, portrayed by Evgenia Dobrovolskaya and Yulia Snigir, confront a sudden shift in their relationship triggered by the mother for the first time facing Alzheimer’s disease. The daughter initially reacts with resentment toward her mother’s perceived helplessness and perplexing behavior. Yet as the narrative progresses, she begins to accept the new reality and discovers ways to communicate with a mother who changes before her eyes, fostering a bond that neither expected.
For Svetlana Ustinova, the film marks her directorial debut. Her personal connection to the subject came through her own family when she learned that her mother also faced Alzheimer’s. Driven by a wish to offer support to others dealing with the disease, Ustinova describes her threefold aims. First, to illuminate the possibility of light at the end of the tunnel. Second, to encourage families to stay connected, even after difficult moments. Third, to provide clarity on what to do when similar symptoms emerge, guiding viewers toward timely help and resources.
The cast also includes Yevgeny Syty, Ekaterina Varnava, Semyon Serzin, Alexander Lykov, and others who contribute to the intimate portrayal of a family navigating memory loss, fear, love, and reconciliation.
Earlier reports noted that director Sarik Andreasyan began shooting a project titled Shadow of Chikatilo, signaling ongoing activity in the industry and a continued exploration of dramatic themes across Russian cinema.