Captain Volkonogov Escaped
Fresh out of its Venetian world premiere, this stylish lesson of imaginative Russian history, referenced to “The Fugitive”, “Enemy of the State”, “Catch Me If You Can”, “Bourne”, is visionary thrilling grotesque spectacle through the eyes of Estonian cinematography genius Mart Taniel, supported by lights by Taivo Tenso and sounds by Matis Rei.
Leningrad, 1938. Merciless torturer and executioner Fyodor Volkonogov was a loyal servant of Stalin’s NKVD before crucial social changes. Now the chief punisher must run and hide from heartbreaking betrayals and imminent extermination. He seeks redemption and forgiveness to secure a place in paradise and escape the purgatory. Gravely wounded major pursuer Golovnia will not stop until Volkonogov is knifed and silenced forever.
The blackly funny chase uncovers paradoxes of how the Ministry of Culture of Russia agreed to finance such a bold and slapstick cat and mouse manhunt, which reminds brutal governmental crimes and the bloody punishment of their own persecuted officers after suddenly awaken courage.
Fastly rising Russian wunderkind Yuriy Borisov is a man who surprises everyone again, but has still not recieved a well-deserved reward for fabulous acting. In their 3rd feature, the Russian couple of directors wittily mock the absurdities of Soviet patriotism in adrenaline-packed action sequences and supernatural dreamlike fantasies, deeply influenced by literature treasures. This film will definitely benefit from repeated viewings.
Edvinas Pukšta
Recommended age 18+
Aleksey Chupov (b. 1973) is director and scriptwriter. He studied in Moscow and the USA. Chupov began his career working as a TV journalist. He and his wife Natasha Merkulova have written and directed several features together, including their debut "Intimate Parts" (2013), second feature "The Man Who Surprised Everyone" which premiered in Venice and "Captain Volkonogov Escaped" which also premiered in this year in Venice.
Intimnye mesta (Intiimsed kehaosad, PÖFF 2013), Chelovek, kotoryy udivil vsekh (Mees, kes üllatas kõiki, PÖFF 2018), Kapitan Volkonogov bezhal (Captain Volkonogov Escaped, 2021)
Natasha Merkulova (b. 1979) is a director and scriptwriter. She studied in Irkutsk and Moscow. Merkulova began working as a presenter on Irkutsk television. She and her husband Aleksey Chupov have written and directed several features together, including their debut "Intimate Parts" (2013, screened also at the PÖFF). The film was critically acclaimed and gained over 30 awards and nominations at various Russian and international film festivals. In 2018, their feature "The Man Who Surprised Everyone" premiered in Venice and later also was screened at the PÖFF programme. "Captain Volkonogov Escaped" is her third full-length film with Alexey Chupov.
Intimnye mesta (Intiimsed kehaosad, PÖFF 2013), Chelovek, kotoryy udivil vsekh (Mees, kes üllatas kõiki, PÖFF 2018), Kapitan Volkonogov bezhal (Captain Volkonogov Escaped, 2021)
Presented by
