THERE WAS NEVER A BETTER BROTHER

cast

Sergey Puskepalis, Evgeny Tsyganov, Nino Ninidze

producers

Murad Ibragimbekov, David Shufutinsky, Alexander Shvydkoy

production

Drama, 93 min, Azerbaijan / Russia / Bulgaria, Central Productions International Group, 2011

оriginal title I NE BILO LUCHSHE BRATA language Russian

synopsis

The story of two temperamentally different brothers takes place in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku in the 1970s. The elder brother Jalil is a married postal worker who keeps bees as a hobby. Like those creatures, he approaches life with measured care. Younger brother Simurg is by nature more adventurous and in contrast to his sibling is capable of going after his goals, not just dreaming about them. When both brothers fall in love for the same beautiful girl, their differences become apparent once again. The locations in the film – the house, garden, streets, post office and bath-house, are exact replicas of Baku, Azerbaijan in the 1970's and during WW2.

The writer and the director tell us about the relationship between next of kin, about man and god, desire and punishment.

festivals & awards

Karlovy Vary Film festival, Czech Republic; BFI London, UK; Haifa IFF, Israel; Listapad Festival, Minsk, Belarus - Best director of photography