Filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev, exiled in France after his open condemnation of Putin's regime, presented his new film Minotaur at Cannes. At 62, the director uses the Russian-Ukrainian conflict as the backdrop for a marital story. The film explores the cracks in a relationship under pressure, reflecting the consequences of war in the most private sphere. His presence is not without controversy, as Ukrainian groups might see his participation as a questionable gesture.
An indie film engine with technical limitations 🎬
Zvyagintsev shot Minotaur with an ARRI Alexa Mini LF camera, seeking a documentary tone that contrasts with the grandiosity of other productions about the conflict. The film uses a palette of cold colors and close-ups to underscore the claustrophobia of the relationship. Direct sound was captured with DPA 6060 lavalier microphones, avoiding artificial post-production. The decision not to use CGI or complex visual effects reinforces the rawness of the drama, centered on the actors' performances.
The Minotaur of Cannes who doesn't eat popcorn 🍿
Seeing Zvyagintsev at Cannes is like finding a samurai at a foam party: the Russian director, who hates Putin with the passion of an emo teenager, now uses a marital drama to talk about war. Meanwhile, Ukrainians debate whether to applaud or throw a tomato at him. Because, of course, nothing says world peace like filming a marriage in crisis with a 50,000-euro camera. At least he didn't ask for popcorn during the screening.