The Father / Otets

Credits

cast

Mikhail Emelyanov

Director
09/18/1988

Biography

Beginning filmmaker. Previously engaged in medical advertising.

Filmography

2023 / Asya Chooses HIV / short

Directors Statement

The idea for this film was inspired by a completely different story I heard during my time at film school. It was about a conflict between a father and his daughter. Over time, the plot evolved into something entirely different, but that initial conflict remained the starting point. I drew inspiration from the soundtrack of Denis Villeneuve’s *Dune* as well as the invaluable advice of my mentors and classmates. This theme feels personal to me, perhaps because I grew up without a father myself. Through this film, I wanted to convey the idea that sometimes it’s worth doing something good even if it seems to have no clear purpose — simply because it feels right. For the visual style, I chose to shoot against a cyclorama with minimal set design. This decision was driven both by budget constraints and my desire to bring the story to the forefront, creating a sense of simplicity. The use of light and color helped add depth and emotion to the scenes. I was inspired by Lars von Trier’s method in *Dogville*, and despite the challenging conditions and tight schedule, I’m proud that we managed to complete the shoot with only minimal overtime. This was a real triumph for the entire team. Working on this film taught me how much I love actors. I already admired them before, but seeing how they bring to life what once existed only in my imagination made me fall in love with the craft even more. I hope that this film brings a little warmth to the audience and perhaps encourages someone to take a simple yet important step — to send a message saying “hello” to a loved one. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to change a life.