jelena

The middle-aged Elena a former nurse, is married to her former patient Vladimir, who belongs to the new upper middle-class of Russian society: he owns an apartment in a condominium in central Moscow with a whole range of conveniences. Both have children from previous marriages: Vladimir has a daughter who cares little for her father; Elena has a son who is unemployed and lives with his wife and his two children on the mother’s meagre pension, which she delivers to their gritty suburban flat.

One day, Vladimir suffers a heart attack, and after recovering he decides to make a will in which he plans to leave everything – including the apartment – to his daughter. Elena worries about the future of her son and his family and makes a bold decision to ensure the future welfare of her blood relatives over the man she cares for and loves.

The director’s third film marks a refreshing departure from his previous two films, the much-acclaimed Vozvrashchenie (2003, Cottbus 2004) and Izgnanie (2007, Cottbus 2007). JELENA has a concise setting in present-day Moscow, and – in an extraordinary departure for the director – is preoccupied with social issues. The wonderful cinematography brings out the sterile and cold atmosphere of the urban residence, which contrasts with the cluttered and cramped flat of Elena’s son. BiB