School of Seduction

How does a woman seduce a rich man? In Putin’s modern Russia, women can supposedly achieve anything they want. However, in its patriarchal everyday reality, a wealthy husband is often the only key to social advancement. Thus, in a country where there are not enough (single) men, ambitious women take part in costly “seduction” workshops: here they learn how to move sensually, dress seductively and ultimately wrap a man around their finger. Lida, Vika and Diana, who live in the metropolis of St. Petersburg, long for a life of money, prestige and maybe even romance. However, do these things really make you happy? Filmmaker Alina Rudnitskaya accompanies these three women from the beginning of the workshop and for a further seven years of their lives. The result is a fascinating and intimate insight into their personal dreams of security and independence, as well as the deeply rooted role models of a whole society. (Zurich Film Festival)