Mermaid

After a brief sexual encounter between a woman and a drunken sailor, Alisa is born in a run-down Russian seaside community. Unable to realize her dream of becoming a ballerina, she takes a vow of silence at the age of six, while slowly gaining the ability to make wishes come true. At the age of 17, Alisa’s destiny brings her to Moscow where she falls in love with Sasha, a successful but depressed businessman who sells land on the moon.

Critically acclaimed director Anna Melikyan creates a modern fairytale set in contemporary Russia, where Alisa’s rural upbringing meets the big city’s fast-growing market and promises of endless possibilities. Awarded at the film festivals in Sundance and Berlin, Mermaid presents its very own poetic worldview with the help of a memorable cast, led by actor Masha Shalaeva. Inspired by HC Andersen’s classic tale, Melikyan presents the inevitably sad story with playful humor and a stylistic, surrealist technique that shows the world through the eyes of Alisa.

Premiere Status
Nordic Premiere: Orig. title
Rusalka: Cast
Mariya Shalayeva, Yevgeni Tsyganov, Mariya Sokova, Anastasiya Dontsova: Producer
Ruben Dishdishyan: Script
Anna Melikyan: Cinematography
Oleg Kerichenko: Music
Igor Vdovin: Spoken language
Russian