Directed by Darya Zhuk, drama, comedy, 93 min, eng subtitles, 16+
Written by Helga Landauer, Darya Zhuk
With Alina Nasibullina, Ivan Mulin, Yury Borisov, Svetlana Anikey, Ilya Kapanets
Set a few years after Belarus gained independence in 1990, this vibrant debut feature follows the path of young Evelina, who dreams of moving to Chicago where she could pursue her passion for house music. However, obtaining a US visa proves a difficult endeavour and, determined to flee the country, the young woman takes the risk of buying a letter of employment on the black market. Depicting a nation anticipating a brighter future, Crystal Swan is a story about a woman and her country, where feelings of self and belonging are yet to be defined.
One of the biggest festival discoveries from Eastern Europe in 2019, a true gem from Belarus, Crystal Swan portrays the roots of resistance with audacity and boldness. This vibrant, colourful film is filled with rebellious energy that will get you carried away.
The film premiered at the Karlovy Vary IFF and scored numerous awards at many festivals (Tbilisi, Shanghai, Odessa, Cork, Bratislava, Atlanta).