The film delves into the final years of writer Varlam Shalamov’s life, presenting a non-linear sequence of vignettes that blend reality with elements of phantasmagoria.

The settings oscillate between stark, institutional interiors—suggestive of a nursing home or hospital—and more abstract, surreal spaces that mirror the protagonist’s fragmented memories and psychological state. This deliberate contrast underscores the tension between the mundanity of daily life and the profound depths of Shalamov’s inner world.

Sparse furnishings, muted tones, and a restrained aesthetic dominate the visual landscape, allowing the focus to remain on character interactions and the thematic weight of the narrative.

Director: Dmitry Rudakov
Director of Photography: Alexey Phillipov
Production Designer: Vanya Bowden

2019