Mutual Understanding
A documentary short about people searching for «their» community and for understanding.
The authors travel and talk with random people, resulting in dozens of stories that form a collective narrative about the search for kindred spirits, the struggle against loneliness, and the longing for warmth. Some find a soulmate in a friend; others believe that the strongest love is that of a mother; and some, unfortunately, have already lost that special person. Yet everyone realizes how fragile understanding can be and tries to protect it.
Mutual Understanding
Director: Dasha Iskrenko
Russia, 2024. 28 min.
18+
Dacha Cult
A documentary novella about dacha life as a key phenomenon of Russian culture.
The dacha is a religion. The dacha is an art form. The dacha is a kind of time machine that takes you back to the carefree moments in life. There, you can discover true artifacts—from Yunost (Youth) magazines to vintage clothing from across the globe. What makes up the fascinating world of the dacha? And why is it so important? Dacha Cult views it as one of the essential experiences of Russian life. There are few remaining places of unconditional togetherness, and the dacha is one of them: a space where family, friends, and neighbors always gather around a table laden with tasty food.
Dacha Cult
Director: Nikita Kasyanenko
Russia, 2025. 16 min.
18+
Family Portrait
A few days in the life of a family in love with skateboarding.
Summer, friends, and skateboards sounds like a formula for happiness. Family Portrait captures several days in the life of a family that lives and breathes skateboarding. Gena Kakusha has been skating since the 1990s and continues to foster skate culture in Russia. His partner, Anya Lunina, also skates, while also working as a tattoo artist. Their son Misha shares his parents’ love for skateboarding. It’s a story of complete harmony, as well as of creativity and constant motion which, as we know, is life itself.
Family Portrait
Director: Evgeny Todich
Russia, Canada, 2024. 20 min.
18+
