Mikita Voronov

Five aspiring directors, five short stories about the discovery of cinema. Each short story is an independent story exploring how cinema begins, how it influences us and where the line between the screen and reality lies. The film almanac has the widest range of genres, themes, geography of authors, time of action and even frame format. It can be a short sketch from the set, where the lighting technician suddenly changes places and importance with the most influential auteur director; preparation for the first film screening in Rus'; a conversation between friends immediately after the film; a story of a difficult choice between creative freedom and a career; and finally, a free interpretation of the 1986 film about the life of a simple fisherman from Kaliningrad.

An orphanage resident, Nikita, flees justice to Moscow, where he meets Den, a rich orphan who offers Nikita a ticket to a better life in exchange for his friendship. Nikita agrees, not knowing what price he will have to pay for it.

Anya is a 43-year-old single mother living in Moscow. By day, she scans barcodes at the warehouse of an online retailer to make a living, and the rest of her time is devoted to her two young sons. Every summer, the city shuts off hot water for several days to test the pipes and prepare for the harsh winter ahead. During one of these periods, love and the warmth of a long-forgotten youth suddenly return to Anya’s life like an unexpected rush of hot water after a long wait. However, this awakening soon gives way to a new coldness and bitterness.

The main character Ivan (nickname “Jaguar”, “Yagi”) is an aspiring young man of 25 years old, living on social benefits in 2031. His place of residence is the cockpit of an Il-76 airplane lying in the VTORCHERMET landfill in an industrial suburb. The main place in his home is occupied by a computer. GG sits there day and night, playing computer games. Checking his personal card for funds, Ivan realizes that he is no longer entitled to social benefits, but instead receives a “notification” that persons over 25 years of age who do not benefit society are subject to mandatory euthanasia. After 72 hours, the GG must appear at the “social regulation” point to undergo the disposal procedure. Ivan calls his friend to discuss the situation and find understanding in his eyes, but the conversation takes a different turn.

Four friends arrange film screenings for the residents of their village. After another outdoor session, they return home. Their conversations about cinema, life and the future are intertwined with subtle matters and eternal arguments.

Max steals a collectible Cadillac from a local reputable businessman, Herman Eduardovich. Gus is trying to help his friend, even though he was taken hostage and forced to clean up unattended garages, on the site of which Herman Eduardovich decided to build the best hotel in Penza. The goose falls under the command of Mikhalych, who also looks after the student of nuclear physicist Funtik. He's working off his sins here too.

Tanya, Arina and Dasha are 17 years old, they are finishing school in a small Russian town. Ahead of them is the first summer after the school graduation and an adult life beckoning with freedom, with loves, disappointments and awareness of responsibility for their future. Will the girls be able to cope with the first challenges of adulthood and maintain true friendship?

Sergei takes the body of his deceased younger brother, Misha, to his native village to bury him with his family, but he is thwarted by Misha's ghost, who repeatedly "digs up" from the grave and returns to his brother.