Vozvrashcheniye (2003)

Director:

Andrei Zvyagintsev

Writers:

Vladimir Moiseyenko (writer)
Aleksandr Novototsky (writer)

Release Date:

25 June 2003 (Russia)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

In the remote Russian wilderness, two brothers face a range of new, conflicting emotions when their father--a man they only know through a single photograph--resurfaces.

Plot Keywords:

Russian | Return | Island | Tarkovskyesque | Fear Of Water

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 28 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Vladimir Garin	...	Andrey
Ivan Dobronravov	...	Ivan
Konstantin Lavronenko	...	Father
Natalya Vdovina	...	Mother
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Yelizaveta Aleksandrova	...	Waitress
Lazar Dubovik	...	Hooligan
Lyubov Kazakova	...	Devushka v zerkalakh
Galina Petrova	...	Grandmother
Aleksei Suknovalov	...	Zavodila
Andrei Sumin	...	Man at Port

Also Known As:

The Return (International: English title) (USA)
Возвращение (Russia)
ïÔÅÃ (Russia) (working title)

Runtime:

105 min | Turkey:99 min (TV version)

Country:

Russia

Language:

Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Sweden:11 | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-11 | USA:Unrated | Spain:13 | Australia:PG | UK:12

Filming Locations:

Gulf of Finland, Russia

Company:

Ren Film

Trivia:

Actor Vladimir Garin died on 25 June 2003 (shortly after the shooting of the movie was completed) in the lake not far from the one in which the movie was shot. The news of his death was postponed until much later after the movie's premiere and subsequent success in the Venice Film Festival.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Ivan is sitting in the car, the camera pans around the car (before we see him grab the binoculars and begin to use them) - as it pans past the triangular car window you can see the camera reflected in it.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards (2004) (TV)

gorgeous and disturbing film about growing up

Two pre-teen boys are shocked when their father returns home to them and their mother, after being inexplicably away for 12 years. He takes them on a road trip the next day. If you've seen the incredible but spoiling trailer for this movie, you know what happens in the last 10 minutes. Apart from the frustrating promotional trailer, this movie is exceptional and is one of the most strikingly beautiful films I've seen in a long time. The child actors are so incredible it is almost discomforting. The cinematography is simply breathtaking. "The Return" would make for a perfect double feature with the equally gorgeous and disturbing Italian film "I'm Not Scared" (aka "Io non ho paura"). Both films explore the fear and courage that results when children are suddenly faced with unknown horrors of the adult world. My Rating: 9/10.