Captain Volkonogov Escaped
Captain Volkonogov Escaped (, translit. "Kapitan Volkonogov bezhal") is a 2021 Russian thriller drama film directed by Natalya Merkulova and Aleksey Chupov. It was selected to compete for the Golden Lion at the 78th Venice International Film Festival. Plot. The setting is the USSR during the Great Terror. Captain Fyodor Volkonogov serves in the Soviet law enforcement agency. He is trusted by his superiors and his colleagues respect him. However, one day his life takes an unexpected turn: he is accused of being a criminal. The Captain manages to run away before he is arrested; in one hour  he witnesses how his reputation has been destroyed and how his former colleagues and friends are out for his blood. Then, a messenger from the world above appears to the Captain and informs him that after his death, he is destined for hell. He has one last chance to change his fate, if he would repent, and can find just one victim that would forgive him his crimes. Cast. This film was Igor Savochkin's final role before his death. Production. The film received support from the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Kinoprime Foundation for the Development  of Contemporary Cinematography, the European Fund for Supporting Co-production and Distribution of Cinematographic and Audiovisual Works Eurimages, the Estonian Ministry of Culture and the Estonian Film Foundation. Production was carried out by the film companies Place of Power and Look-Film (Russia), Homeless Bob Production (Estonia), KinoVista (France). The producers were Valery Fedorovich, Yevgeny Nikishov, Aleksandr Plotnikov, co-producers - Catherine Kissa, Charles-Evrard Chekhov and Nadezhda Zayonchkovskaya. Release. The first screening of the film took place on September 8, 2021 at the 78th Venice Film Festival. The picture claimed the main prize of the Golden Lion. The film received  the Audience Choice Award at the 32nd Kinotavr Open Film Festival (2021), the work entered the main competition and won in the Best Screenplay nomination. The film won the bronze medal in the main competition at the El Gouna Festival, Egypt, and also won the Best Feature Film award at the XXX Philadelphia International Film Festival, becoming the first Russian film in history to be awarded this prize. "Captain Volkonogov Escaped" is scheduled to be theatrically released in the Russian Federation in 2022 by Central Partnership. Reception. Accolades. Within the framework of the Spanish International Film Festival in Gijon, Natalya  Merkulova was awarded the prize as "Best Female Director". The film was also presented in London, where the lead actor Yuri Borisov received the Golden Unicorn Awards for 2021 in the "Best Film", "Best Screenplay" and "Best Actor" (Yuri Borisov) nominations, as well as the White Elephant Awards of the Russian Guild of Film Critics and Critics in the Best Film nominations, "Best Leading Actor" (Yuri Borisov) and "Best Supporting Actress" (Natalya Kudriashova).