Luna Park

Set in the immediate post-perestroika period, Moscow undergoes social upheaval, with old loyalties fraying and new opportunities surfacing amid corruption and crime. Antisemitism and nationalist sentiment clash with newfound freedoms. The era's uncertainty drives characters to choose between violence and reconciliation.

The story unfolds in Moscow around the urban landscape and the titular Luna Park amusement park, a space of thrill, danger, and memory. The park's wild roller coasters and distorting mirrors symbolize the distorted perceptions of the era as the country transitions from the late Soviet period to post-perestroika Russia. The city serves as a backdrop for Andrei's coming-of-age amid gang violence and shifting loyalties.

🧭 Identity

Andrei's discovery of a Jewish father forces him to reassess his self-image and loyalties. The search for identity propels his decisions and alters his view of “the Russian bloodline.” The film uses this personal revelation to critique inherited bigotry and the possibility of reinvention.

🩸 Prejudice and Violence

The Cleaners' attacks reveal how prejudice can escalate into brutal acts of violence against those deemed 'other.' As Andrei confronts his past, the gang's cruelty escalates, culminating in a chaotic confrontation at Luna Park. The film examines the corrosive power of fear and hatred.

👪 Family and Truth

The revelation of Andrei's father, Naoum Kheifitz, exposes painful family secrets and complicates loyalties within the gang. This truth challenges the gang's control and pushes Andrei toward a choice between allegiance and newfound kinship. The ending suggests a new life away from deception.