The Return

The Return

Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev makes his feature debut with this poignant family drama. Teenage brothers Andrei (Vladimir Garin) and Ivan (Ivan Dobronravov) have lived with their mother (Natalya Vdovina) and grandmother (Galina Petrova) for as long as they can remember when their long-lost father (Konstantin Lavronenko) suddenly turns up after a 12-year absence. While Andrei seems happy to see him, the younger Ivan is reluctant and suspicious of his father's motives.

The three take a boat to a deserted island in a remote lake in the north of Russia - a trip which turns into an endurance test as the boys struggle to come to terms with their father's presence and cruel, mysterious ways. The film won the Golden Lion award at the 2003 Venice Film Festival.