The Return (2003)
"Vozvrashchenie" (original title)

In the remote Russian wilderness, two brothers face a range of new, conflicting emotions when their father--a man they only know through a single photograph--resurfaces.

Director:

Andrey Zvyagintsev

Writers:

Vladimir Moiseenko, Aleksandr Novototskiy-Vlasov

Stars:

Vladimir Garin, Ivan Dobronravov, Konstantin Lavronenko

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 27 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vladimir Garin	...	Andrey
Ivan Dobronravov	...	Ivan
Konstantin Lavronenko	...	Otets
Nataliya Vdovina	...	Mat
Galina Popova	...	Babushka
Aleksey Suknovalov	...	Zavodila
Lazar Dubovik	...	Khuligan
Elizaveta Aleksandrova	...	Ofitsiantka
Lyubov Kazakova	...	Devushka v zerkalakh
Andrey Sumin	...	Chelovek v portu
Aleksey Proshchikin
Viktor Alenin
Stas Orlov
Arseniy Belousov
Sofya Bagdasarova

Storyline

Two teenage Russian boys have their father return home suddenly after being absent for 12 years. The father takes the boys on a holiday to a remote island on a lake in the north of Russia that turns into a test of manhood of almost mythic proportions.

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Plot Keywords:

boy | russian | island | return | wilderness | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

Kino International (English) Lighthouse Pictures [sg]

Country:

Russia

Language:

Russian

Release Date:

25 June 2003 (Russia)

Also Known As:

The Return

Filming Locations:

Ladoga Lake, Russia

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£43,388 (UK) (25 June 2004)

Gross:

£277,457 (UK) (19 January 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ren Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min 99 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The budget of the film remains a secret, though in an interview the director and the producer hinted that it was well under $500,000. Director Andrey Zvyagintsev also mentioned that the producers made their money back even before they went with the movie to Venice where it was "discovered".

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Goofs

On the island, Ivan bandages his hand after it gets injured. In the next shot, the bandage is on his other hand.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[on-screen caption: Sunday]
[boy falls in the water, then floats up]
Zavodila: Jump as we agreed! Who climbs down the ladder is a cowardly wanker.
[swims to the shore]
Boy on Tower: Go on, Vityok. You're next.

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Crazy Credits

During the end credits, there are still photos.

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Connections

Featured in The 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Ne iz sadu bylo..."
Traditional Russian song
Performed by Ivan Mefodyevich Banderovsky

User Reviews

gorgeous and disturbing film about growing up

Two pre-teen boys are shocked when their father returns home to them and their mother, after being inexplicably away for 12 years. He takes them on a road trip the next day. If you've seen the incredible but spoiling trailer for this movie, you know what happens in the last 10 minutes. Apart from the frustrating promotional trailer, this movie is exceptional and is one of the most strikingly beautiful films I've seen in a long time. The child actors are so incredible it is almost discomforting. The cinematography is simply breathtaking. "The Return" would make for a perfect double feature with the equally gorgeous and disturbing Italian film "I'm Not Scared" (aka "Io non ho paura"). Both films explore the fear and courage that results when children are suddenly faced with unknown horrors of the adult world. My Rating: 9/10.