Kocham cię

Two young Russian filmmakers, Pavel Kostomarov and Aleksandr Rastorguyev, launched themselves into an unconventional experimental project. In Russia’s tenth largest city, Rostov-on-Don, they organised a major competition to find the protagonists and also co-authors of a documentary film. After more than six months of casting sessions, the directors selected fifty people who would record their days on camera. The stories of three of them, whose lives intersect, ultimately formed the basis for this off-beat documentary which offers a fresh and, in places, pretty raw account of the lives of contemporary Russia’s young generation, particularly their relationships. The film’s young heroes often fumble about in the dark, trying to find their place in the world; and with them the viewer experiences both ordinary situations and defining moments. In front of the camera the lads behave naturally and very openly, which further reinforces the authenticity of the end product. (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)