Nikita Lokhmatov

Five aspiring directors, five short stories about the discovery of cinema. Each short story is an independent story exploring how cinema begins, how it influences us and where the line between the screen and reality lies. The film almanac has the widest range of genres, themes, geography of authors, time of action and even frame format. It can be a short sketch from the set, where the lighting technician suddenly changes places and importance with the most influential auteur director; preparation for the first film screening in Rus'; a conversation between friends immediately after the film; a story of a difficult choice between creative freedom and a career; and finally, a free interpretation of the 1986 film about the life of a simple fisherman from Kaliningrad.

The story of a young man Serezha, who long ago moved to Moscow from his small provincial town. He has gotten used to the role of a metropolitan resident, listens to modern music, dresses brightly and feels great. But today Seryozha realized that something had broken inside him, some mysterious illness had appeared, giving no rest, changing his entire habitual life.

"Closing" is a film almanac made up of nine verses. Instead of a rap beat, there is beer, rain, a beach, a zoo, random conversations, and a city that lives its own life. These are not stories with a beginning and an end, but statements written into the rhythm of the festival, where cinema becomes a way to be together and a way to be alone. Any almanac is a film cypher: everyone goes to the microphone, says their piece, and leaves, leaving room for someone else. "Closing" is exactly that: a collection of voices in which you can hear laughter, fatigue, love, and meaninglessness. This is a film about how cinema closes the day and opens the night.

Polina enjoys shooting videos with her phone. With a camera in hand she has the feeling that she is the sole master of reality. But today things are different. A crazy night gets the better of Polina, sweeping her away into the world of associations and images. Townsfolk turn into mythical characters, frightening and alluring at the same time.

Nikita lives alone on a summer cottage near a forest. Spending almost all his time there, he builds a special relationship with nature. But the whole idyll is disrupted when Nikita’s father decides to change his ascetic lifestyle and sell the plot.