Loveless (2017)

A couple going through a divorce must team up to find their son who has disappeared during one of their bitter arguments.

Director:

Andrey Zvyagintsev

Writers:

Oleg Negin, Andrey Zvyagintsev

Stars:

Maryana Spivak, Aleksey Rozin, Matvey Novikov

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 18 wins & 36 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maryana Spivak	...	Zhenya
Aleksey Rozin	...	Boris
Matvey Novikov	...	Alyosha
Marina Vasileva	...	Masha
Andris Keiss	...	Anton (as Andris Keyshs)
Aleksey Fateev	...	Ivan
Sergey Borisov	...	Operupolnomochennyy
Natalya Potapova	...	Mat Zheni (as Nataliya Potapova)
Anna Gulyarenko	...	Mat Mashi
Artyom Zhigulin	...	Kuznetsov
Maksim Solopov	...	Otets Kuznetsova
Sergey Badichkin	...	Sosluzhivets Borisa
Tatyana Ryabokon	...	Rieltor
Maksim Stoyanov	...	Pokupatel
Varvara Shmykova	...	Lena, volontyor

Storyline

Still living under the same roof, the Moscow couple of Boris and Zhenya is in the terrible final stages of a bitter divorce. Under those circumstances, as both have already found new partners, the insults pour down like rain in this toxic familial battle zone, always pivoting around the irresolvable and urgent matter of Alyosha's custody, their 12-year-old only son. Unheard, unloved, and above all, unwanted, the introverted and unhappy boy feels that he is an intolerable burden, however, what his parents don't know is that he can hear every single word. As a result, when Boris and Zhenya finally realize that Alyosha has been missing for nearly two days, it is already too late. But is this a simple case of a runaway teenager?

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Plot Keywords:

missing child | divorce | written by director | missing boy | missing person | 

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Taglines:

A Missing Child. A Marriage Destroyed. A Country in Crisis,

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality, graphic nudity, language and a brief disturbing image

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Official site [United States]

Country:

Russia France Germany Belgium USA

Language:

Russian

Release Date:

1 June 2017 (Russia)

Also Known As:

Loveless

Filming Locations:

Yuzhnoye Tushino District, Moscow, Russia

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,222, 18 February 2018, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$566,356, 10 May 2018

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fetisoff Illusion,Non-Stop Productions,Fetisoff Illusion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Official submission of Russia for the 'Best Foreign Language Film' category of the 90th Academy Awards in 2018.

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Goofs

While the plot sets in late 2012, Sleepwalking by Bring Me The Horizon, that was released in 2013, plays in the car.

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Quotes

Zhenya: I think I've made a terrible mistake.

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Connections

Referenced in Honest Trailers: Jurassic Park 3 (2018)

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Soundtracks

Sleepwalking
Performed by Bring Me The Horizon

User Reviews

Loveless and hopeless world

There have been numerous films about a child missing while the parents are separated. A lot of them have worked on many levels and explored the possibilities of drama out of it. Yet Zvyagintsev managed to make a compelling film about the same situation without trying anything new with the plot but by using the time and world we live in itself to give life to the film. Modern life, ambition, stability and the Russian society play the crucial part in forming the film. But even with all these familiar aspects, it's the distinct eye of Zvyagintsev that gives a spiritual visualization and elevates the film. The world here is not dark and violent but bleak and hopeless that terrifies you even more. Though at times you get a feeling that the director leans towards a more patriarchal society which is a bit of a reversion.