The Flow
Film by: Taya Zubova
The Flow
Film by: Taya Zubova
This film is a story about domestic and social violence and how they are connected
The note of intent
Before I thought that domestic and social violence topics do not concern me, even though protests in Russia, Ukraine's Maidan, the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation took place right next to me.

I was focused on directing until the moment when, during the presentation of my short film at the Cannes Film Festival, the head of Roskino in the Russian pavilion jokingly asked me "Is Crimea ours?" (Is Crimea Russian?). And it was then when I caught myself on self-censorship.

I was afraid to express my political position. When a similar episode happened to me already with a deputy of the ruling party at a film screening in Russia, I decided to emigrate to Slovakia.

Terms such as open relationships, polyamory, LGBT rights for minorities, and with them the issues of new ethics came into my life during that period.

And at some point, I realized that if I face something in my personal life and I don't agree with this, if I don't like something and I feel uncomfortable, I cannot say "NO" to this.

And if I try, I end up experiencing psychological, sexual or physical abuse from the people who seemed the closest to me.
And at that moment I saw that it didn't matter if we left or stayed, our generation of millennials reproduced the behavior patterns which had been raised in us by parents and the way we had been educated, and simply covered them with a 'wrapper of new ethics'.

But since this code of ethics every person understands in their own way, then inside the 'wrapper of new ethics' flourishes patriarchal violence, which is familiar to us from the Soviet past.

And that's exactly what I want to talk about with the audience of the film 'The Flow'.

Ín this film I am trying to figure out where learned helplessness comes from, what traumas from our childhood and upbringing affect this.

And most importantly, I show how domestic violence is interconnected with political violence in society.

I hope that my film will becomes one of the drops that will influence the enactment and implementation of the Law against Domestic Violence in the Russian Federation.

It will also support and strengthen the international discourse on the topics of gender equality, women's rights, political repression and freedom of speech in our world.


Teaser
The teaser was filmed in Italy. There is no political line in it, as it was filmed before the completion of the script. It is presented here to show an overall visual style.
Teaser
The teaser was filmed in Italy. There is no political line in it, as it was filmed before the completion of the script. It is presented here to show an overall visual style.
Synopsis
Russia, 2014. During a press conference at the exhibition a deputy of the ruling party asks the sculptor Eva the question: "Is Crimea ours? (Is Crimea Russian?)

The protagonist decides to remain silent fearing the consequences because of her disagreement with the actions of the ruling regime.

At the same time, during protests against the 3rd and 4th terms of the presidency, her husband, Slava, is being charged with a political criminal case because of his active participation in the protests. To avoid Slava's prison punishment, the couple has to go into forced migration.

They rent a house in a secluded village in Italy. Eva tries to find inspiration to create sculptures for an international exhibition that will determine whether the couple can extend their residence permit and stay in Europe. Inspiration does not come, the financial situation is worsening and disharmony is felt in the couple.

One day they meet Valentine and (R)Oksana. They promote polyamory as a form of family where you can have multiple sexual partners, which refreshes relationships and adds flavor to life.

Slava is having sex with their new acquaintances and Eva is torn apart with her jealousy, but she "descends into the well of her subconscious" and finds there a long-awaited image of the first sculpture.

In pursuit of inspiration, Eva and her husband plunge into the abyss of sexual experiments. During these experiences, she endures psychological and sexual domestic violence from both her husband and their guests. But again and again, feeling the violation of her boundaries, she is keeps silent as she was taught in childhood.

Meanwhile, in Italy elections are taking place, public opinion is splitting in half and voters are going to the streets in peaceful protests. But how long will Eva endure this in the same way as her mother did in the Soviet times, and how long will she be afraid to show her voice and destroy the family?

She finds another way out of the crisis - through publicity, education and culture. After the divorce, Eva will return to her homeland and create an exhibition on a political theme during the protests against the presidential elections in Russia for the 5th and 6th terms.
Synopsis
Russia, 2014. During a press conference at the exhibition a deputy of the ruling party asks the sculptor Eva the question: "Is Crimea ours? (Is Crimea Russian?)

The protagonist decides to remain silent fearing the consequences because of her disagreement with the actions of the ruling regime.

At the same time, during protests against the 3rd and 4th terms of the presidency, her husband, Slava, is being charged with a political criminal case because of his active participation in the protests. To avoid Slava's prison punishment, the couple has to go into forced migration.

They rent a house in a secluded village in Italy. Eva tries to find inspiration to create sculptures for an international exhibition that will determine whether the couple can extend their residence permit and stay in Europe. Inspiration does not come, the financial situation is worsening and disharmony is felt in the couple.

One day they meet Valentine and (R)Oksana. They promote polyamory as a form of family where you can have multiple sexual partners, which refreshes relationships and adds flavor to life.

Slava is having sex with their new acquaintances and Eva is torn apart with her jealousy, but she "descends into the well of her subconscious" and finds there a long-awaited image of the first sculpture.

In pursuit of inspiration, Eva and her husband plunge into the abyss of sexual experiments. During these experiences, she endures psychological and sexual domestic violence from both her husband and their guests. But again and again, feeling the violation of her boundaries, she is keeps silent as she was taught in childhood.

Meanwhile, in Italy elections are taking place, public opinion is splitting in half and voters are going to the streets in peaceful protests. But how long will Eva endure this in the same way as her mother did in the Soviet times, and how long will she be afraid to show her voice and destroy the family?

She finds another way out of the crisis - through publicity, education and culture. After the divorce, Eva will return to her homeland and create an exhibition on a political theme during the protests against the presidential elections in Russia for the 5th and 6th terms.
Social significance
The spectrum of the topics that are raised in our movie is universal and can be appealing to audiences all around the globe. The rise of far-right movements, populism, lack of gender equality and equal opportunities in creative industries, domestic violence, political repression, and forced migration all those issues are well known to a wide audience.
Although our characters are Russians the story aims for worldwide success and sees no borders. The interest of the characters in such topics as polyamory, feminism, human rights, spirituality is the reflection of the main concerns of "millennials". We strongly believe that it is a compelling narrative that will be understood all over Europe.
Social significance
The spectrum of the topics that are raised in our movie is universal and can be appealing to audiences all around the globe. The rise of far-right movements, populism, lack of gender equality and equal opportunities in creative industries, domestic violence, political repression, and forced migration all those issues are well known to a wide audience.
Although our characters are Russians the story aims for worldwide success and sees no borders. The interest of the characters in such topics as polyamory, feminism, human rights, spirituality is the reflection of the main concerns of "millennials". We strongly believe that it is a compelling narrative that will be understood all over Europe.
About the project
The 'Flow' which combines the best traditions of the independent cinema: multi-layered narrative, metaphors, relevance and original artistic expression.

The action of 'The Flow' unfolds on four parallel levels of the narrative:

  • The top level is the love storyline.
  • The second storyline is political.
  • The third storyline is the protagonist's artistic search for her creative identity.
  • The fourth storyline is psychological, based on memories from the childhood of the protagonist.

These storylines help explore the problems relevant for «millennials» as well as choice of professional, family and civic position.

All the storylines of film narrative are interconnected and represent metaphors for each other. They show how violence can seamlessly enter our lives, often disguised as a bunch of "pseudo new age" values, and how crucial it is to follow the humanism path and to stay true to oneself.



References
'The Dreamers' 2003,
directed by Bernardo Bertolucci

'Cabaret' 1972,
directed by Bob Fosse

'Stealing beauty' 1996,
directed by Bernardo Bertolucci

'Call me by your name' 2017,
directed by Luca Guadagnino

'Eyes Wide Shut' 1999,
directed by Stanley Kubrick

'Fifty Shades of Grey' 2015,
directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson

'Pan's Labyrinth' 2006,
directed by Guillermo del Toro
(only the labyrinth itself)

References
'The Dreamers' 2003,
directed by Bernardo Bertolucci

'Cabaret' 1972,
directed by Bob Fosse

'Stealing beauty' 1996,
directed by Bernardo Bertolucci

'Call me by your name' 2017,
directed by Luca Guadagnino

'Eyes Wide Shut' 1999,
directed by Stanley Kubrick

'Fifty Shades of Grey' 2015,
directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson

'Pan's Labyrinth' 2006,
directed by Guillermo del Toro
(only the labyrinth itself)
How to support the project
The 'Flow' is in the pre-production stage. There is already a script, mood-board, presentation, and teaser of the project, which has been shot in Italy.

We are looking for support for the realization of this film:
  1. Co-producers and production companies from Italy, Spain, Slovakia
  2. Finances and information support from public organizations, foundations and grants
  3. Finances from individuals
  4. Information support from the media, bloggers and opinion leaders
  5. Also we are recruiting a film crew and a team for the project.