Vitaly Akimov
Directing
Biography
Director, cinematographer, photographer. Born in Arsenyev, Primorsky Krai. In 2022, he graduated from the Moscow School of New Cinema, under the mentorship of Dmitry Mamulia. The world premiere of his directorial debut, The Boy (2020), took place at IDFA, later earning the Danya Gurevich Award for Best Cinematography at the 30th Message to Man International Film Festival and a special mention at the European Film Festival Palić. His second film, The Last Summer, won the Jury Prize at Artdocfest. Aoi Yamada is his third work.
Known For
"An eight-minute story by my friend from Japan Aoi Yamada, captured in a one shot during our short meeting in Paris."
AOI YAMADA
Venus Transit is a rare astronomical phenomenon, when Venus obscures the edge of the solar disk, and almost seems to touch the Sun. She meets Him to leave for a new life.
Venus Transit
A monochromatic drama portraying the youth in Moscow. These individuals arrange concerts in deserted structures, host clandestine boxing matches, venture into nature, and remain uncertain about how this summer will conclude amidst the backdrop of war.
The Last Summer
Twenty-three-year-old Vitaly Akimov portrays his family in the shrinking Russian provincial town of Arsenyev. Ten-year-old Stepan, his brother’s stepson, acts as a guide to this grim environment, appropriately filmed in black and white. He strums his guitar, fetches water, or plays kindly with his little half-brother. He also witnesses another side of life. Slightly embarrassed, he gingerly walks around his stepfather sleeping off the drink, soaked his own urine on the kitchen floor. Stepan talks cheerfully about the horrific events of his life, or shares his deeper thoughts.