Unclenching the Fists
Short description
Set in the former mining town of Mizur in North Ossetia, this drama follows a young woman named Ada. She lives under the strict and overprotective control of her father, who struggles to accept her adulthood. While Ada feels a deep affection for her family, she feels suffocated by their influence and seeks a way to establish an independent life. Her desire for freedom puts her in conflict with her father's desire to keep her protected and dependent.
The film was directed by Kira Kovalenko, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Anton Yarush. It was produced by Non-Stop Productions with Aleksander Rodnyansky and Sergey Melkumov serving as producers. The cast features Milana Aguzarova in the lead role as Ada, supported by Alik Karaev, Soslan Khugaev, Khetag Bibilov, Arsen Khetagurov, and Milana Pagieva.
Released on September 25, 2021, the movie has a runtime of 97 minutes. It has received a moderate reception from viewers, holding a rating of 6.4/10 on TMDB based on 52 votes.
What's left behind the scenes
- Of the film's cast, only two professional actors play the lead roles: Alik Karaev (playing Zaur, the father) from the Narty Equestrian Theater in Vladikavkaz, and Milana Aguzarova (playing Ada, Zaur's daughter), who was a student at North Ossetian State University during filming. The remaining roles are played by amateur actors and local residents. According to Karaev, the film's director and screenwriter, Kira Kovalenko, specifically emphasized ordinary people over professionals, as she wanted to convey their emotions to the audience.
- The filmmakers reached out to Alik Karaev through mutual acquaintances after the other roles had already been filled. Only the role of Zaur, one of the main characters, remained, but the filmmakers had been unable to find someone who met all the requirements. Karaev was invited for an audition at the Lenfilm studio in Saint Petersburg. He met all the criteria and was immediately cast. The filmmakers only asked him not to change his appearance until the end of the filming period—for example, not to shave.
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
