What is the best film plot? The one is based on a true story. Who is the best storyteller? The one who lived it.

Being a foreign student from a black-listed country I quickly found myself surrounded by others with different backgrounds, and unique stories, coming from all over the world, but with one thing in common – not being able to move freely in the World. To be precise, not being able to move anywhere outside Italy.

For this short film, I interviewed three young students coming from Iran, Russia and Nigeria. Some came to Italy for opportunities and freedom, others sought shelter and safety, and some wanted to expand their horizons and explore the world outside their country. These three genuine and intimate stories of different people connected by one common struggle – restricted mobility due to the unfair and inefficient bureaucracy combined with the international and foreign-policy tensions, racism and negligence that directly affect their personal and professional lives. This film is a collective revelation and a poem about hope through my eyes and the eyes of many like me.

Even though I don’t believe in any of your bullshit and I know that scientifically nothing I do makes any difference in the end anyway – I’m still scared. Why am I still scared?

“Fleabag” confessions scene.
DOP: Andrey Malikov
Acting, editing, colour-grading: Katherine Cusack

“Faryatev’s Fantasies” monologue performed by Katherine Cusack.

Tell me, baby, do you recognise me?
Well, it’s been a year, it doesn’t surprise me

On a cold Christmas night, a lone heartbroken busker observes strangers celebrating holidays and discovers ways to feel warm and festive again.

When urban meets elemental, when nature calls and basic instincts take control.
The inner fight of an ancient animal and a modern human.

Who are you in the end?

Entering the mind of an actress getting ready for a shoot.

Это быть то.

Тут быть там.

Это то тут там быть. Я. Мы. Бог.

A girl is telling fortunes about her betrothed in the hope of seeing his reflection in the mirror, but instead of the future groom, she sees three obscene entities having a heated discussion about being.
A farce, a buffoonery, a fantasy on Daniil Kharms’ poem “Nevernow”.