A Fairy Tale for the Old

The events span late winter turning into early spring, across Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, and Rostov. The contemporary setting feels timeless, not tied to a specific year. The seasonal shift heightens the film's surreal tone as the characters pursue Mulya. The journey moves between bars, abandoned buildings, wakes, and festive processions.

The film is set in three Russian cities: Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, and Rostov. Snowy streets, historic architecture, and bustling urban centers provide a varied backdrop. In Novosibirsk, the action moves through abandoned buildings and snowy wastelands; in Rostov, a wake scene unfolds among locals. Saint Petersburg offers a mysterious elevator ride to a secret location, adding a surreal twist.

🪪 Identity

The narrative toys with who people truly are, using look-alikes, misidentifications, and shifting loyalties to blur the line between friend and foe. Characters carry hidden histories that complicate trust and motive. The surreal tone amplifies questions about what defines a person in a world of crime and illusion.

🧭 Pursuit

A cross-city hunt drives the plot, exposing how pursuit shapes perception and choices. Clues lead through diverse locales—from snowy ruins to crowded streets—yet clarity remains elusive. The chase intensifies the sense that reality and deception are inseparable facets of the story.

🤝 Loyalties

Power, family ties, and betrayed trust govern the actions of Batya and his three sons. Loyalties are tested as allies turn into threats and vice versa. The ending suggests that in this world, cooperation is fragile and survival often hinges on accepting unsettling truths.