TOKYO FILMeX Competition films

Russia, Kazakhstan / 2018 / 100 min.
Director: Sergei DVORTSEVOY

25-year-old Kyrgyz woman, Ayka, gives birth to a child in a Moscow hospital, but furtively flees the hospital, leaving her newborn behind. With a large debt, Ayka tries securing various jobs, but since her Russian work permit has already expired, she is unable to obtain respectable work. Before long, Ayka is compelled by debt collectors to promptly repay the debt, so she decides to do something.... The long anticipated new film by Sergey DVORTSEVOY, who won the Un Certain Regard Prize at Cannes with his debut film, "Tulpan" (2008), shows the harsh life of a woman through powerful imagery shot with handheld camerawork. Screened at the Cannes Film Festival's Competition Section and garnered actress Samal YESLYAMOVA, who portrays Ayka, the Award for Best Actress.