ROOM #5
Russian soul and secrets, love, memories, homeland, dreams
Behind the Volga there is land!
This video delves into a personal family story, told through three distinct layers. The narrative unfolds in three languages: visual imagery capturing my grandfather and his life in Russia; subtitles presenting a conversation between him and my grandmother in their apartment; and excerpts from letters—official documents once used against him during his imprisonment.
At its core, the story examines corruption and the quiet, internal struggle of an aging, humble man who turns to letter-writing in a desperate attempt to escape a relentless cycle of injustice.
“I would like to go in a country, where the police does not exist.” He will never leave his country. He loves it too much… (audio extract)
Behind the Volga there is land! | in colour, stereo, 4:3 PAL | 7’38” | © 2011 Volgograd/Russia | with Raffael Leonardovitsch Vinogradov | sound by Francesco Viani
screenings
2012. A ciascuno il suo [paesaggio] – curated by Katia Baraldi in collaboration with Art Hub | TEATR_ariaARTIVISIVE in Roccagloriosa/Italy 2009. International Film Festival Carbunari | Borders+Segments curated by Luca Curci | Museum Florean in Maramures/Romania 2009. Kurye International Video Festival | Essence/Borders curated by International Art Expo in Istanbul/Turkey 2009. Real/Unreal – Playlist curated by Odile Orsi | gallery neon>campobase in Bologna/Italy