“Under Electric Clouds” is a series of intertwined stories about Russia over the course of last 20 years. A bitter story, where past, present and future permeate constantly, with each perspective being equally strong and standing against each other.
Polish Television is supporting Polish cinema and Polish international co-productions. An invitation to the main competition of Berlin festival is a clear confirmation, that this support towards artistic freedom and, in broader sense, freedom of speech, makes sense and can bring real success to all of us here in Poland. “Under Electric Clouds” is an extraordinary film and extraordinary Russian-Ukrainian-Polish co-production that would not happen without help from Polish producers, including TVP - said Julius Braun, chairman of the board of Polish Television.
This will wasn’t easy to make. It happened only thanks to help and support from the people who believed in it from the very beginning. Our partners in Apple Film Production are by no means not only co-producers of the film, but friends as well. We are more than happy, that the film was chosen for the main competition in Berlin and we cannot wait to share the effects of our work with the festival and its public - said Artem Vasiliev, main producer from Metrafilms.
It’s a very important - and courageous - voice in the discussion of contemporary Russia, made by director, who’s work was of our interest for a long time. A film made out of co-operation between three countries: Russia, Ukraine and Poland is a vivid example that when it comes to real art, not the powers that be are important, but people, their will towards communication and cooperation - added Dariusz Jabłoński, chairman of Apple Film Production.
“Under Electric Clouds” was produced by METRAFILMS (Russia), LINKED FILMS (Ukraine) in co-production with APPLE FILM PRODUCTION (Poland), POLISH TELEVISION, with support from Film Studio TOR (Poland) and STUDIO METRONOME (Russia).
Alexei German Jr
One of the most acclaimed and internationally rewarded Russian directors of young generation. Comes from a family of filmmakers - his father Alexei German was an exceptional director of author cinema, his mother Svetlana Karmalita is a screenwriter.
German Jr quickly established himself as an outstanding artist. His first film, “Last Train”, won award for best debut at International Film Festival in Venice in 2003; his second feature, “Garspastum” was also shown there later.
His biggest artistic success to date is “Paper Soldier”, which scored Silver Lion, as well as awards for direction and cinematography at IFF in Venice in 2008. A favourite of many international festivals, it became one of the best and most successful Russian productions of 2008.
Under Electric Clouds
(Pod electricheskimi oblakami/Pod elektrycznymi chmurami)
Directed by Alexey German jr Written by Alexey German jr Cinematography Evgeniy Privin/ Sergey Mikhalchuk Editing Sergey Ivanov Music Andrey Surotdinov Sound Ivan Gusakov Scenography Elene Okopnaya Costumes Elene Okopnaya Make-up Natalia Krimskaya/ Galina Ponomareva Casting Angela Karpova/ Viktoriya Nesterenko/ Tatiana Murlakova/ Anna Sagalovich Production manager Evgenij Matveev/ Alla Belaya
Executive producers Artem Vasiliev/ Andrey Saveliev/ Rushan Nasibulin
Leading actors: Lui Frank (Petr), Merab Ninidze (Nikolay), Viktoriya Korotkova (Sasha), Chulpan Khamatova (Valya), Piotr Gąsowski (uncle Borya)
Producers: Artem Vasiliev (METRAFILMS Ltd, Russia), Andrey Saveliev (Russia), Rushan Nasibulin (Russia), Sergey Antonov/ Egor Olesov (LINKED FILMS Ltd, Ukraine)
Co-producers: Dariusz Jabłoński/ Izabela Wójcik/ Violetta Kamińska (Apple Film Production, Poland), Krzysztof Zanussi (Studio Filmowe TOR, Poland)
Produced by: METRAFILMS (Russia), Linked Films (Ukraine) in co-production with Apple Film Production (Poland), Telewizja Polską S.A. with support from Film Studio TOR (Poland) and Studio Metranom (Russia).
BERLINALE 2015 SCREENINGS:
- Feb 10th at 09:00 at Berlinale Palast (Press)(directly followed by photo call & press conference at the press centre/Hotel Hyatt) at 15:00 at Berlinale Palast (Red Carpet Gala)
- Feb 11th at 12:00 & at 15:00 at Friedrichstadt Palast at 22:30 at International
- Feb 14th at 09:30 at Haus der Berliner Festspiele
INTERNATIONAL PRESS:
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SYNOPSIS
Russia 2017. The world could be on the verge of a great war. People are anxious that things could fall apart. Evolving around an unfinished building, a diverse group of outsiders struggle to find their place in this rapidly changing society, making up the mosaic of existence that is life itself... With sophisticated visuals and wit, writer-director Alexey German Jr. boldy pursues his exploration of Russian culture and politics by reaching deep into the soul of the human spirit.
A Kyrgyz construction worker arrives in Russia, finding himself almost on a different planet due to language problems and prejudice. His problems worsen when he discovers that the construction site has been shut down...
A brother and sister return from abroad to inherit their deceased father’s large estate. They have no plans to remain and complete their adored father’s ambitious architectural project. They are rejected by his close friends and they are pressured about the unfinished building...
A real estate lawyer and his haunting dreams about the past begin to push away the present, as if he is living some other life, not his own...
A musuem guide has been working on the same art dissertation for years. His museum is now in danger of closing due to the progressive new building under construction. He must choose whether to protect his museum or move on...
A war refugee who lost his entire family attempts to save a young girl held hostage near the abandoned construction site...
The 40-something architect of that unfinished building simply refuses to grow up. When he falls in love with a woman many years younger, he tries to find a common language. Soviet Russia is still a part of him, but for her those were medieval times.
COMMENTS FROM WRITER-DIRECTOR
ALEXEY GERMAN JR.
A GENERAL SENSE OF RUSSIA
It was important to use the entanglement of human stories as an instrument to grasp the general sense of our country. The country that is so incredibly diverse, and filled with contradictions and sometimes incompatible mentalities. Essentially, we have attempted to return to the traditions of the classical epic Russian novel, with its complex approach to real life in different combinations thereof. This is why each of the chapters represents a new, different point of view. Just like during a soccer match you have to keep changing the viewing angles in order to see the most important thing, i.e. the game itself.
THE TRADITIONS OF IMPRESSIONISM
Another aspect that is just as important is the art of cinematography has always gone hand in hand with depiction and painting traditions. Our film is an attempt to speak in a language that springs from the traditions of impressionism. It is bending the reality, not copying it. It does not mean escaping the truth or creating a conceptual space; on the contrary, bending the reality offers the possibility of speaking more profoundly about the world in its vast variety, undertones, and complex combinations. As for connotations with reality, some characters have their prototypes, but not with regard to exact coincidence of specific fates, but with regard to general human nature and certain similarity of circumstances.
OUTRUNNING TIME
Despite the fact that the action of the film takes place in the near future, we did not perceive it as sci-fi. Our task was not to chase time, but to outrun it. Then stop. And wait for time to approach.
ALEXEY GERMAN JR.
(Writer-Director)
Alexey German Jr. was born in Moscow in 1976. Between 1996 and 2001, Alexey studied at the Russian Film School - VGIK.
He shot three short films which won international and Russian film festival awards. Alexey made his feature debut with THE LAST TRAIN which premiered in Venice in 2003 where it received a special mention from the “Future Lion” jury. The Russian Academy of Cinematography “Nika” named the director “Discovery of the Year”. His second film GARPASTUM took part in the official competition of the 2005 Venice International film Festival.
In 2008, his third feature PAPER SOLDIER had its premiere in Venice and was awarded with Silver Lion for the Best Director and Ozella for the Best Cinematography.
FEATURE FILMOGRAPHY
2015 UNDER ELECTRIC CLOUDS (POD ELEKTRICHESKIMI OBLAKAMI)
2009 CRUSH (segment “KIM”)
2008 PAPER SOLDIER (BUMAZHNYY SOLDAT)
2005 GARPASTUM
2003 THE LAST TRAIN (POSLEDNY POEZD)
