Russia
2008/35mm/102mins
SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER 2.00 PM – Dendy
SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER 8.30 PM – Dendy
Set in the wintery landscapes of provincial Russia during the 1917 Revolution, this is a moody and gripping tale of a brilliant young doctor tempted by the powers of morphine.
Inexperienced but talented Dr. Polyakov arrives in a rural town to take over as the local doctor, and is immediately put to the test performing a series of grisly operations. His good looks and life-saving decisions quickly make him a favourite with nurses and patients. But after a life saving injection of morphine, and as Russia descends into chaos, he struggles with the crippling force of addiction. Director Alexsei Balabanov creates a lush, stylish and visually powerful story with a sweeping historical backdrop.
Rotterdam International Film Festival Premier
Festival screenings include London, Brussels, Vancouver, Brisbane
“Balabanov is a poet of hoplessness” Daniil Dandurey, ISKUSSTVO KINO
“like a strong narcotic MORPHIA will live on together with questions about the tragic meaning of life, questions that were relevant before the word ‘existentialism’” Andrei Plakhov, KOMMERSANT
“pic boasts near-perfect production design” Jay Weissberg, VARIETY
MORPHIA
(MORFIY)
Director Alexsei Balabanov Producer Sergei Selyanov Script Sergei Bodrov
Cast Leonid Bichevin, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Andrey Panin Print Source Intercinema Moscow Russia
