Captain Fyodor Volkonogov is a high-ranking agent and interrogation expert at the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs (NKVD). As Stalin's purges thin the ranks around him, he sees his chance and flees from his former colleagues. Hunted and driven by a desire for forgiveness, Volkonogov sets out to find the relatives of his victims. This historical thriller takes the form of a furious postmodern parable set against the backdrop of the Great Purge by the NKVD—Stalin's violent campaign to consolidate his power in 1938, which led to the arrest, torture, and execution of around one million people. With CAPTAIN VOLKONOGOV ESCAPED, directors Alexey Chupov and Natalya Merkulova have created a visually stunning film that captivates with its stylized portrayal and symbolic imagery. The depiction of the NKVD as a kind of cult with ritualized actions and uniform aesthetics underscores the absurdity and cruelty of the totalitarian system. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in 2021 and has received numerous awards, including the Silver Hugo for Best Art Direction at the Chicago International Film Festival and the Bronze Star at the El Gouna Film Festival.
A gripping, thrilling drama-thriller with captivating cinematography about Stalin's political purges in 1938.
Captain Fyodor Volkonogov is a high-ranking agent and interrogation expert at the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs (NKVD). As Stalin's purges thin the ranks around him, he sees his chance and flees from his former colleagues. Hunted and driven by a desire for forgiveness, Volkonogov sets out to find the relatives of his victims.
This historical thriller takes the form of a furious postmodern parable set against the backdrop of the Great Purge by the NKVD—Stalin's violent campaign to consolidate his power in 1938, which led to the arrest, torture, and execution of around one million people.
With CAPTAIN VOLKONOGOV ESCAPED, directors Alexey Chupov and Natalya Merkulova have created a visually stunning film that captivates with its stylized portrayal and symbolic imagery. The depiction of the NKVD as a kind of cult with ritualized actions and uniform aesthetics underscores the absurdity and cruelty of the totalitarian system.
The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in 2021 and has received numerous awards, including the Silver Hugo for Best Art Direction at the Chicago International Film Festival and the Bronze Star at the El Gouna Film Festival.