Ivan Shvedov
- 2007
Director Alexei Popogrebsky's grimly sardonic drama Simple Things (AKA Prosty Je Vesci, 2007), joins The Death of Mr. Lazarescu and other recent films that explore the mordant misery of everyday lives in contemporary Eastern Europe. Tyro Sergei Puskepalis stars as Sergei Maslov, a self-centered, manipulative anesthesiologist in his 40s caught deep in the throes of a mid-life crisis. Afraid of adding another member of the family to his small, decrepit flat, he spends his time nagging his pregnant wife, Katya (Svetlana Kamynina) to have an abortion - when he isn't out philandering with a sexy blonde at work. He also extorts money from ailing patients with clever mind games, and eventually accepts a job from a questionable agency, that requires him to make daily check-ups on senior citizens. Eventually, this leads Sergei into a tempestuous rapport with a severely ill, retired actor Vladimir (Leonid Bronevoy) who senses Sergei's economic desperation and strikes an unholy alliance with him: euthanasia, in exchange for a rare and priceless painting that Sergei can sell to generate much needed income. Popogrebsky also authored the original script. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sergei Puskepalis, Leonid Bronevoy, (more)
- 2003
German director Hans-Christian Schmid teams up again with writing partner Michael Gutmann for the ensemble film Lichter (Distant Lights). The film takes place during a few days around the Oder River, which acts as a border between Poland and Germany. Several different interrelated stories involve young adults who smuggle cigarettes, a businessman who sells black-market mattresses, and a cab driver trying to get his daughter a communion dress. While trying to cross the river at night, Ukranian Kolya (Ivan Shvedov) is arrested while two other Ukranians (Sergei Frolov and Anna Yanovskaya) are helped by the cab driver. Lichter premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ivan Shvedov, Sergei Frolov, (more)
- 2000
The story of a Russian man's attempted journey to England, this film opens in Kiev in 1986 just after the Chernobyl nuclear accident, where the carefree Valeri Sikorksi (Ivan Shvedoff) pals around with his friend Victor (Dennis Burgazliev). Several years later, Valeri is on a bus from Kiev to pick up Victor in Berlin on his way to England. En route to Berlin, Valeri becomes acquainted with the attractive Yelena (Chulpan Khamatova), who is traveling to Hanover to meet her German husband. Once in Berlin, Valeri meets Pavel (Merab Ninidze), an icon-painter, and eventually learns that Victor has died. After he gets a job at the Russian guest house where he's staying, Valeri begins a friendship with Maria (Anna Geislerova), the wife of his new boss, Schurig (Maxim Kowalewski). They eventually enter into an affair, even though Valeri is becoming increasingly ill with the same disease that killed Victor. As Valeri's sickness grows, so does his pessimism, and his entire world threatens to collapse. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ivan Shvedov, Merab Ninidze, (more)
