The Postman's White Nights

In films he made in Russia, Andrei Konchalovsky always insisted on the authenticity of the life of so-called "ordinary people". In this film, he makes a step further in order to reach a higher degree of authenticity, blending documentary-style cinematography with improvised narrative and using unprofessional actors who play themselves. The film describes life in a godforsaken Russian village. The only way to reach the mainland is to cross the lake by boat and the local postman is the only connection with the outside world. Despite modern technologies and a nearby spaceport the people of the village live the way they would in the Neolithic Era. There is no government, no social services, and no jobs. The postman's normal pattern of life is disrupted after his beloved woman flees the village and his outboard engine gets stolen and he can no longer deliver mail. He decides to leave for the city too, but returns before long for no obvious reason. The script is based on real characters' stories and the casting process took more than a year. (IFF Bratislava)