Free Floating

Khlebnikov confirms the promise of his debut feature ‘Koktebel’ with this thoroughly winning portrait of small town Russian malaise. It kicks off in orthodox minimalist style with a static shot of factory gates and proceeds to share space with a group of workers in what turn out to be their final work days before finally focusing in on one of their number, sweet but taciturn Lyonya and his restless search for satisfying work. We’re used to quirky neo-neo-realism, but Khlebnikov excels in all departments, garnering highly communicative performances, shooting in saturated, textured colours (rusts, greens and greys) and showing a characteristically alert sense of the relationship of landscape to people. Confident, acutely sensitive, glumly humourous, the result is a pleasurable, thoughtful gem.