Kirill Sokolov
Directing
Biography
Kirill Sergeevich Sokolov (Russian: Кири́лл Серге́евич Соколо́в; born 9 June, 1989; Leningrad) is a Russian filmmaker. The talents of versatile Russian writer/director Kirill Sokolov were brought to the attention of Western audiences via the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia in 2018. A riotous, action-filled black comedy, Sokolov's debut film, "Why Don't You Just Die?," draws upon the cinematic styles of his favorite directors, Sergio Leone, Martin McDonagh, Park Chan-wook, Martin Scorsese, and, of course, Quentin Tarantino. Although his first full-length feature film is distinctly Russian, uniquely characterized as a Western-style action film playing out within the confines of a Moscow apartment, Sokolov endeavors to tell a universal story that international audiences will still be able to relate to. Sokolov was born in 1989 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. In 2012, he received a master's degree in the Physics and Technology of Nanostructures. However, even as he worked to complete his degree in Physics, he began making short films with his friends, initially using just ketchup as blood. Inspired by films such as "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly," "Evil Dead 2," "Oldboy," and "Kill Bill", Sokolov discovered that he had both a love and a talent for dark comedy, a genre which has yet to gain popularity in Russia. In 2013, when Sokolov's filmmaking hobby started to consume all of his time, he enrolled in a program for Advanced Courses for Film Directors and Scriptwriters (VKSR) at the workshop of V. Khotinenko, P. Finn, and V. Fenchenko. In 2015 he successfully defended his diploma with the short film "The Flame." In addition to his debut film, "Why Don't You Just Die?" Sokolov has edited several Russian full-length feature films, written several full-length screenplays, and directed music videos and commercials.
Known For
A woman answers a help wanted ad to be a housekeeper in a mysterious New York City high-rise, unaware that she is entering a community that has seen a number of disappearances over the years and may be under the grip of a Satanic cult.
They Will Kill You
FBI Agent Lee Harker is a gifted new recruit assigned to the unsolved case of an elusive serial killer. As the case takes complex turns, unearthing evidence of the occult, Harker discovers a personal connection to the merciless killer and must race against time to stop him before he claims the lives of another innocent family.
Longlegs
Andrey, a detective and the world's most horrible father, brings together a terrible group of people in his apartment: his resentful actress daughter, an angry thug, and a cheated cop. Each one of them has a reason to want revenge..
Why Don't You Just Die!
After four years in prison, Olya decides to start over. And first of all she wants to get her ten-year-old daughter back. However, the overbearing grandma isn't letting her grandchild go without a fight. The family conflict quickly gets out of control and turns into a wild chase. And it definitely won't end well for everyone.
No Looking Back
Seven-year-old Lisa learns that the toy people that inhabit the mock-up museum depicting Russia are alive. But today this model will be destroyed. A little girl and little people have one New Year's Eve to become big and save their little Russia.
Lisa and the Magic Layout
The story of an ancient mask that possesses the human form to commit visceral sacrifices of vengeance for the incarnation of its God.
Skull: The Mask
On 13th December 1974, Slava Kurilov jumped off a Soviet cruise ship in the Philippine Sea. People will consider his journey to the shore — over three days of swimming in complete solitude in the middle of the ocean — a betrayal, a defection, an act of bravery, a protest...but for Kurilov that jump was one thing only — a leap into total freedom.
Alone in the Ocean
The story takes place against the backcloth of the world sauna championships in Helsinki as a Russian man tries to earn some much needed money.
To Banya
How far will one go to preserve the world they are accustomed to… Olya is unshakable to the blows of fate, she always strikes first instead of being hit. Everyone who is not with her is against her. However one day the moment comes when she has to reconsider her view of life…
The Flame
Seriously ill patient is trying to get help from doctors who already have a lot of troubles...
The Outcome
A young man accidentally turns out to be a witness of a crime. The police try to get him but the family of a poor man are not going to let them have him without a fight.
Sisyphus Is Happy
A typical day in the life of a family.
About Love
Unexpected break up with a girlfriend provokes a sequence of events which one after the other affects on the main character. When the young man comes home he will be different.