16th(2014)
Svetlana SIGALAEVA
Synopsis
Said to be a real life Russian version of Orange is the New Black, this documentary takes a poetic approach to lesbian relationships and moments of homosexuality that blossom in a women¡¯s prison in Russia. The director offers her personal views on love among women inside the prison, a space full of oppression and prohibition, and the sense of intimacy they create. The private narrative of a woman who previously served her sentence in this prison and the hushed movement of the camera that carefully follows the life of the inmates resonate together beautifully.
Program Note
A woman who was released from a Russian women¡¯s prison after 5 years of imprisonment talks about her experience on the other side of
the prison wall covered with barbed-wires. The documentary follows her perspective, offering personal views on lesbian relationships. She
elaborates on moments of homosexuality, and intimacy among women within a space of prohibition and oppression. The camera that infiltrated
the women¡¯s prison poetically captures women¡¯s secret whispers, brushing touches, and eye contacts as they sing melancholic Russian songs.
The private narrative of a woman and the hushed movement of the camera resonate together beautifully. [HONG So-in]
Synopsis
Said to be a real life Russian version of Orange is the New Black, this documentary takes a poetic approach to lesbian relationships and moments of homosexuality that blossom in a women¡¯s prison in Russia. The director offers her personal views on love among women inside the prison, a space full of oppression and prohibition, and the sense of intimacy they create. The private narrative of a woman who previously served her sentence in this prison and the hushed movement of the camera that carefully follows the life of the inmates resonate together beautifully.
Program Note
A woman who was released from a Russian women¡¯s prison after 5 years of imprisonment talks about her experience on the other side of
the prison wall covered with barbed-wires. The documentary follows her perspective, offering personal views on lesbian relationships. She
elaborates on moments of homosexuality, and intimacy among women within a space of prohibition and oppression. The camera that infiltrated
the women¡¯s prison poetically captures women¡¯s secret whispers, brushing touches, and eye contacts as they sing melancholic Russian songs.
The private narrative of a woman and the hushed movement of the camera resonate together beautifully. [HONG So-in]
Svetlana SIGALAEVASvetlana SIGALAEVA
Born in Moscow. In 2008 entered VGIK. Prizewinner at festivals, including 32nd VGIK IFF, 23rd Open documentary festival ¡°Russia¡±, International Kansk Video Festival, ¡°Saint Anna¡± Festival from 2011 to 2013. The winner of the Special Prize on the 20th St Anna Festival in the category VARIETY and participation in a special program ROSKINO PRESENTS: GLOBAL RUSSIANS 2013 in Cannes in the short film category for the film KARDO.