Mariupol lies in eastern Ukraine, where the Kalmius river flows into the Sea of Azov. The city, which is centred round the steel works, seems calm but the encroaching conflict between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian government forces is tangible everywhere. A theatre ensemble is rehearsing a piece to commemorate Victory Day on 9 May; as they put their hearts into practising their song and dance routines, they hope their city will not be seized on the opening night. The daughter of a cobbler tries her hand at being a war reporter in front of a camera while her father discusses his faith with his female customers. The fishermen hope, as usual, for a good catch. In spite of the explosions that can be heard all around the city’s perimeters, life goes on, accompanied by the pealing bells from the Orthodox Church and the squealing of the tram.
Following his sensitive and moving film Barzakh (Panorama 2011), which depicted the search for a man gone missing in Chechnya, director Mantas Kvedaravicius trains his camera once more on a conflict zone and observes and accompanies the people who live there. Everyday life develops a poetry of its own, which occasionally can seem absurd. berlinale 2016

Ukrainian surgeon Serhiy is captured by the Russian military forces in the conflict zone in Eastern Ukraine and while in captivity, he is exposed to horrifying scenes of humiliation, violence and indifference towards human life. After his release, he returns to his comfortable middle-class apartment and tries to find a purpose in life by rebuilding his relationship with his daughter and ex-wife. He learns how to be a human being again, how to be a father and help his daughter, who needs his love and support.

1950年代，娜塔莎在苏联一家秘密的研究所内经营食堂，这里汇集了研究所的员工、科学家和外国访客。 娜塔莎的世界很小，她白天在食堂干活，晚上和年轻同事奥利亚一起喝酒，倾诉对浪漫的渴求和对未来的幻想。 在一次聚会之夜，娜塔莎与来访的法国科学家卢克·比格变得亲密起来。 第二天，当克格勃的弗拉基米尔·阿奇波将军对她进行讯问时，她的生活发生了戏剧性的转变。

冷酷的考姆索莫尔（Komsomol），带着对优生学的热忱，与克格勃（KGB）做了关于合谋消除了秘密科学研究所的恶行的测试，但与此同时，他们又与心灰意冷的女服务员有染。

故事发生于1956年，备受尊敬的苏联科学家DAU遇见了年轻时的恋人Maria。Maria已是一名希腊演员，准备在莫斯科度过三日时光。两人已经25年未见面。虽然DAU在事业上建树颇丰，他的家庭生活却难谓圆满，甚至令他倍感痛苦。DAU希望通过Maria找回逝去的青春年华。他的妻子Nora突然回到家中，打破了他的幻想。

诺拉的婚姻令她的生活发生了巨大的转变：从边远省份来到国家首都莫斯科，和她的知名科学家丈夫一起，居住在一个条件优越的秘密机构。诺拉的母亲自她婚后第一次来看望她，这不仅是一次母亲对女儿的平常问候，也是对她生活的全面观察与无痕压迫——诺拉和丈夫之间似乎出现了问题，而家庭矛盾的背后是更深层的割裂与叹息。封闭的场景困住了角色，模糊了现实与戏剧的边界，诺拉的“平行人生”在小小的一方天地里看似按部就班地上演。

浪漫的绝望注定要悲剧，一连串的失望让她陷入了一个并不与之相配的人的怀抱。