THROUGH THE MIRE WITHIN

My Role

• Writer
• Director
• Producer
• Editor

About the Film

This independent short film explores how a single moment can carry completely different meanings for different people. Through a dark visual aesthetic, elements of Russian folklore, and the use of a traditional folk song, the film follows a mother’s growing fear after briefly losing sight of her daughter in an open field. Although the event itself is simple, the story focuses on the emotions, imagination, and uncertainty that unfold in the mother’s mind during those few moments. What appears insignificant from the outside can feel overwhelming to the person experiencing it. Inspired by atmospheric storytelling and gothic visual influences, the film reflects on fear, perception, and the invisible emotional experiences that often remain unseen by others.

About the project

This project was developed in collaboration with students from some of Russia’s most recognized theatre and film institutions, including the Russian State Institute of Performing Arts (RGISI) in Saint Petersburg, VGIK (Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography) in Moscow, and International Film School No. 40. Bringing together artists with different backgrounds and specializations created an environment of creative exchange, experimentation, and collaboration. Throughout the process, we shared ideas, combined our skills, and worked toward a common artistic vision. For me, the project became an opportunity not only to create a film, but also to experience the collaborative nature of filmmaking and learn from talented young artists pursuing theatre and cinema at a professional level.