"Uncanny, amazing … something un-real and elusive." – The Playlist

In a remote part of northern Russia, seemingly untouched by modern life, a postman acts as the sole point of contact with the outside world. Travelling across the lake on his speedboat, he brings news, supplies and companionship. In these bucolic surroundings, the villagers' conversations and routines are calmly documented. Yet, under the surface, an almost surreal sense of magic lingers.

Largely making use of a non-professional cast – the postman and most of the villagers play themselves – veteran director Andrei Konchalovsky (House of Fools, MIFF 2003) crafts an enthralling, wryly humorous docu-fictional tribute to a vanishing way of life.

Winner of the Silver Lion for Best Director at the Venice Film Festival.

"Konchalovsky can take a rather commonplace image and … make it hypnotically awe inspiring." – Variety