Directed by Mikhail Uchitelev Director Mikhail Uchitelev Produced by Mikhail Uchitelev | Initial release 2015 Budget 312,000 EUR Written by Mikhail Uchitelev | |
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Starring Elina Amromina
Alexander Alexeyev (Bredel)
Alexey Morozov
Tatiana Ryabokon
Artur Kharitonenko Music by Vincenzo Bellini
Christoph Willibald Gluck
Michael Krausz Cinematography Mikhail Kotidi
Alexander Solovyov Edited by Elina Amromina
Mikhail Uchitelev
Sergey Sobolev Release date May 2015 (2015-05) (Cannes) Music director Christoph Willibald Gluck, Vincenzo Bellini, Michael Krauss | ||
The Way Out (Russian: Выход) (German: Der Auftritt) is a German-Russian 2015 short film directed, written and produced by Mikhail Uchitelev. The film has been premiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival (Short Film Corner), has been awarded Grand Prix at the International Festival "Reflections of Spirit" (Erlangen, Germany) and the Award for the Best Supporting Actor at The Short Film Awards International Festival in New-York, for the Best Actress at the Blow-up International Film Festival and officially selected at the Roving Eye International Film Festival (partner of the Oscar-qualifying Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival).
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Synopsis
The story takes place in Eastern Europe in late 1941. Edith (Elina Amromina) is a Jewish opera diva that has been hidden away from the Nazis by Gustav (Alexander Alexeyev), who puts her in the theater's cellar during the occupation. Despite his reassurances that she will not be found, Edith knows that Gustav's help puts his own life at risk and decides that she must leave the theater to avoid this. Gustav tries to convince her that there must be a different option, but Edith is too terrified to listen and tries to escape. She's brought back by Gustav but is unfortunately seen by Nazis in the process. The Nazi commandant (Artur Kharitonenko) storms into the theater and demands that Gustav hands over Edith or he will be killed. Viewing all of this from a corner of the theater, Edith decides that she must leave for the commandant's office and surrender. Aware that this is her intention, Gustav tries to intercept her and in the process witnesses a murder of someone that he believes to be Edith. However unbeknownst to him this was not Edith, who instead locked herself in the cellar while she tries to find another way out. The next day she decides to go to the commandant's office and save Gustav's life. As the theater is completely cordoned off she sees only one way out.
Cast
Reception
The Way Out received generally positive reviews and the Saint Petersburg Evening Post praised the work for effectively using its 33 minute length to its advantage. A reviewer for Jüdische Rundschau gave a favorable review for the work, comparing it positively to Caravaggio's masterpieces. The Gazeta Strela also had praise for the film, which they felt told its story in a "heartfelt and intimate manner". The film has been officially presented at the Russian Pavilion at the Cannes Festival and this event has been covered by Proficinema. and also by ROSKINO. The film received a positive review at the TMFF.