The Gulls (Russian: Чайки, Chaiki) is a 2015 Russian drama directed by Ella Manzheeva and starring fashion model Eugenia Mandzhieva in her big screen debut. Set against the backdrop of modern-day Kalmykia, it has been presented in various international festivals including the Berlinale and was awarded Best Debut at Kinotavr.

The Gulls
Russian: Чайки
Directed byElla Manzheeva
Produced byTelesto Film Company[2]
StarringEugenia Mandzhieva
Distributed byAntipode Sales & Distribution[2]
Release dates
  • 7 February 2015 (2015-02-07) (Berlinale)
  • 27 October 2015 (2015-10-27) (Russia)[1]
Running time
87 minutes[1]
CountryRussia
LanguagesKalmyk, Russian[3]
Budget$1,200,000[1]

Plot

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Unhappily married to a fisherman, Elza (Eugenia Mandzhieva) finds out she is pregnant just as her husband disappears at sea.

Cast

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  • Eugenia Mandzhieva as Elza
  • Sergey Adianov
  • Evgeny Sangadzhiev
  • Lyubov Ubushieva
  • Dmitry Mukeyev

[3]

Release

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The Gulls premiered at the 2015 Berlinale and went on to be screened at various film festivals including Edinburgh, Warsaw and Karlovy Vary. It was awarded Best Debut at Kinotavr.[4]

It was released in Russia in October/November 2015, the first film about Kalmykia in Kalmyk language to hit theaters in 30 years.[4]

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Чайки" (in Russian). КиноПоиск.
  2. ^ a b "Chaiki The Gulls" (PDF). Berlinale.
  3. ^ a b Gray, Carmen (8 February 2015). "The Gulls". Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  4. ^ a b Alperina, Susanna (5 November 2015). "Российским зрителям покажут кино о Калмыкии" (in Russian). Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  5. ^ "Winners of the 26th Open Russian Film Festival Kinotavr". Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  6. ^ "2015 APSA International Jury & APSA UNESCO Award Nominees". 4 October 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
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