12-year-old Gena lives in a Russian children’s home, and sometimes he tells people he’s Gagarin’s grandchild. He can count on astonished reactions, since Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, automatically springs to mind, and Gena is not only black but different in most ways from children of his age. He’s an outsider by virtue of his colour; not a day passes without him being reminded of the fact. But that’s not to say the mischievous and obstinately wilful boy is a sad figure. One day, his real brother appears out of the blue. Superficially they would appear to have very little in common, and it soon emerges that they’re like chalk and cheese. But their differences soon become a bonding factor, whereas the people around Gena remain bigoted. There is no acceptance to be expected from the kids at school or even the teachers, and the father of one classmate bribes him to stop playing with his daughter.
No matter what obstacles Gena has to overcome, he doesn’t need help from his brother or anybody else. Defiance and the ability to dream help him to stay aloof and give him the strength he needs.
The story of a boy, and an agreeably non-sanctimonious first film about racism in Russia.
35mm | Farbe / colour
Natalija Nasarowa
Artur Gimpel
Wjatscheslaw Karasew
Vladimir Aronin, Valerij Semenov
Igor Zubow
Genadi Nasarow, Dane Lukumbo, Andrej Panin, Natalja Rogoschkina, Sergej Ugrjumow, Linda Tabagari, Andrej Bronikow
Asya Freidkina
Central Partnership
Prechistenskaya nab. 13, k.1
119034 Moskva
Russia
Tel: +7.495.981 82 14
Fax: +7.495.980 06 24
freidkina@centpart.ru
www.centpart.ru
Andrej Panin, Tamara Wladimirzewa - Tamara Vladimirtsova – born 1941 in Moscow. She was the first Soviet top model, and studied at the Moscow VGIK film school. As assistant director at Mosfilm Studio for several years, she was involved in more than 30 productions, many by renowned directors.
Andrei Panin – born 1962 in Novosibirsk. Completed his actor’s training in Moscow in 1991. His work for the stage included performances at the Checkhov Theatre, and his screen roles since 1992 have made him a film and television star in Russia.
Andrej Panin:
POLNYJ WPERYJOD (2005, TV)
Tamara Wladimirzewa:
POLNYJ WPERYJOD (2005, TV)