Despite the Falling Snow (film)
| Despite the Falling Snow | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Shamim Sarif |
| Produced by | Hanan Kattan, Lisa Tchenguiz |
| Written by | Shamim Sarif |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Rachel Portman |
| Cinematography | David Johnson |
| Edited by | Masahiro Hirakubo |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Altitude Film Distribution |
Release date | April 15, 2016 (UK) |
Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | UK, Canada |
| Language | English |
Despite the Falling Snow is a 2016 British Cold War espionage film directed by Shamim Sarif, adapted from her novel of the same name.[1] . Starring Rebecca Ferguson, Sam Reid, Charles Dance, Antje Traue, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Thure Lindhardt and Anthony Head,[2] the film was released in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2016.
Plot
Then film is set in the post-Stalinist Soviet Union. A young Soviet woman, Katya, lost her parents during the Stalinist repressions. Though she pretends to be a communist, she hates the regime and spies for the Americans. Her boyfriend Misha also helps her obtain important information for the Americans. As part of her next assignment, she meets the young and good-looking Sasha, who belongs to the Kremlin elite. In order to spy on him, Katya ends up marrying Sasha but not everything is going to the plan. Katya soon falls in love with Sasha, and plans to defect to the United States with him. However, just before her trip to the US, Katya mysteriously vanishes. Sasha stays in America alone, and over the course of 30 years becomes a successful businessman in America. Many years afterwards, he visits a post-communist Russia seeking to solve Katya's disappearance. He and his niece Lauren work together, searching for clues. They meet Misha, who has become an old alcoholic; he tells them what really happened to Katya.
Production
The film was shot in Belgrade, Serbia. The film's score by Rachel Portman was performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
Accolades
The film won three awards at the 2016 Prague Independent Film Festival including Best Feature Film, Best Actress (Rebecca Ferguson) and Best Supporting Actor (Anthony Head).[3][4]
Cast
- Rebecca Ferguson as Katya Grinkova / Lauren Grinkova
- Sam Reid as Alexander "Sasha" Ivanov (young)[5]
- Charles Dance as Alexander "Sasha" Ivanov (older)
- Antje Traue as Marina Rinskaya
- Oliver Jackson-Cohen as Mikhail "Misha" Ardonov (young)
- Thure Lindhardt as Dmitri
- Anthony Head as Mikhail "Misha" Ardonov (older)
References
- ↑ Kregloe, Karman. "Movies, Marriage and Mayhem with Shamim Sarif: From Moscow with Love (Ep. 10)". AfterEllen. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ↑ FILM REVIEW: DESPITE THE FALLING SNOW – #MANIFF2016
- ↑ "A trio of awards for Despite The Falling Snow". Enlightenment Productions. 24 August 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ↑ "Updates, updates & updates!". Anthony Head – The Official Website. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
- ↑ Despite the Falling Snow | Film review – A double dose of romantic spy intrigue