Nirvana
Alisa moves from Moscow to Saint Petersburg with a strong resolution to begin a new life. This decision is only superficially risk-free; though the girl lost everything, she won her freedom. What to do with it? Where to go, when anything is possible? Being at the life’s crossroads, Alisa finds herself in a place where life is a ceaseless disco: to the very heart of Petersburg’s underworld – a psychedelic, surrealistic environment lulled in a narcotic trance. It is the place where everyone puts on a sophisticated costume, face hidden under thick make-up, where those who get too close get blinded with sequins and glitter. Does this world hold a promise of the true feelings, endless friendship and affection Alisa so seeks?
awards
AFI Fest 2008 – Grand Jury Prize, Special Mention
Igor Voloshin
Born in 1974 in Sevastopol, Igor Voloshin began acting in a community theatre in 1992, and in 1993, became the frontman of the punk rock band, Delicatessen. He studied acting at the State Theatre Institute in Yaroslavl. In 1998-2000, he studied Screenwriting, Documentary and TV direction at the Russian State University of Cinematography (VGIK) in Moscow. After graduation, Voloshin returned to his hometown and worked at the local Volkov Theatre Academy. He wrote and directed about a dozen plays, in which he also starred, to then become involved with the cinema and begin working with Sverdlovskaya Kinostudiya production company. It was there that he created his first shorts, including the documentary Bitch (2002) which won him the award for Best First Appearance as well as the FIPRESCI Award for Best Debut at IDFA in 2001. Together with producer Alexandr Orlov, Voloshin runs the Bulldozerfilms film production company.
Selected filmography
2002 Suka / Bitch (doc., short)
2003 Polowanie na zające / Okhota na zaytsev / Hare Hunting (short)
2008 Nirwana / Nirvana
2009 Ja / Ya / I Am
2011 Beduin / Bedouin