At 61, the iconic filmmaker has recovered after his illness.
Andrei Zvyagintsev is one of the leading directors in Russian and world cinema, the author of famous films such as "The Return," "Leviathan," "Elena," and "Loveless," a winner of the Venice Film Festival and a laureate of the Cannes Film Festival, and a two-time nominee for the Academy Award. He has completed filming the Russian-language film "Minotaur" in Latvia. The screenplay was written by the director himself in collaboration with Semyon Lyashenko. Unfortunately, nothing is known about the actors yet, as the filming was shrouded in a dense veil of secrecy.
The general plot of the film is known. "Minotaur" tells the story of the head of a large Russian company who, in the midst of preparing for staff reductions, learns of his wife's infidelity. The film is described by producers as a synthesis of intimate drama and political thriller, all set against the backdrop of modern Russia.
It is worth noting that the director's previous feature film, the socio-psychological drama "Loveless," was released in 2017. Such a long pause in the director's work was due to a serious illness. In early July 2021, Zvyagintsev contracted COVID-19. The director's condition was extremely severe: his lungs were affected by 92%, and sepsis began. In mid-August, he was taken to Germany. In one of the clinics in Hanover, he was placed in a clinical coma. The treatment was funded by AFK Sistema.
"I was hit by all means, – the director recounted about his illness. – Just imagine: after an artificial coma lasting forty days and a literal resurrection from the dead, as the doctors in Germany told me – they 'lost' me twice and were sure that the worst would happen to me any day – after such an experience, talking about a full recovery is impossible. I died and then came back to life."
The illness dealt a severe blow to his peripheral nervous system. The rehabilitation process stretched over many months. At first, the director could not lift his arm, and a nurse fed him with a spoon. Over time, he began to move, then transitioned to a wheelchair. Now he walks independently, works out in the gym, and most importantly, can make films.
"Minotaur" is the sixth film of the 61-year-old director. The premiere of the film is expected to take place at the Cannes Film Festival in spring 2026.
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