Translations from the East

The whole film has three, (but in reality, two main) characters. Most of the action takes place in a country house, home to the pair. She - a Japanese translator, he - a man without a definite occupation, lover of the texts of Nietzsche (which he reads fluently in its original language) and St. Augustine (who is quoted in Latin). They are Moscow intelligentsia who have emigrating to their own cultural space. A couple so different that it is difficult to understand what keeps them together. It seems they live together, not because of, but rather in spite of everything that is happening (or rather, not happening) between them.

Directed by Nina Shorina, Translations from the East leans on a strong ensemble — Nina Shorina, Vasiliy Nemirovich-Danchenko, Andrei Vyatkin — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 1999.