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Simple Things (film)

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Simple Things
RussianПростые вещи
Directed byAlexei Popogrebski
Written byAlexei Popogrebski
Produced byRoman Borisevich
Mikhail Kolodyazhny
Starring
Cinematography
  • Pavel Kostomarov
  • Marina Gornostaeva
Edited byIvan Lebedev
Music byDmitriy Katkhanov
Production
company
Koktebel Film Company
Release date
  • 7 June 2007 (2007-06-07)
Running time
115 minutes
CountryRussia
LanguageRussian

Simple Things (Russian: Простые вещи, translit. Prosty'e veshchi) is a 2007 Russian comedy-drama film. Written and directed by Alexei Popogrebski, the film stars Sergei Puskepalis and Leonid Bronevoy.

The film was nominated for the Golden Eagle Award for Best Motion Picture and won Best Screenplay. Popogrebski and Bronevoy were also nominated for Best Director and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.[1] Bronevoy also won a Nika Award for Best Supporting Actor.

A dying actor (Bronevoy) asks a doctor (Puskepalis) to help him commit suicide in exchange for a painting masterpiece.

Plot

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Dr. Sergey Maslov, a struggling anesthesiologist in Saint Petersburg, faces a cascade of troubles. A failed surgery, personal complications with a nurse, and a suspended driver’s license compound his problems, while his daughter runs away, and his wife insists on having a baby despite their crowded communal apartment. Sergey is then offered a job administering home pain relief to Vladimir Zhuravlyov, a once-popular actor. Zhuravlyov, grumpy but sincere, bonds with Sergey and offers him a valuable painting if he agrees to assist in his euthanasia. Initially refusing, Sergey later agrees but gives only a sedative. Upon appraisal, the painting proves nearly worthless, sparking frustration that draws police attention. Zhuravlyov, alive and coherent, clears the situation, and the two reconcile, dismissing their shared burdens.

Later, Sergey spots his daughter on the street, rushes after her, and is hit by a car. Waking in her boyfriend Pyotr’s apartment, he makes peace with their relationship and impending child. In the final scene, Sergey and Pyotr sit together, awaiting their pregnant partners at a playground.

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ "Nominees for the Prize "Golden Eagle Award" for 2007" (in Russian). National Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Russia. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
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