Playing the Victim

A young man, Valery, takes a job as a professional mourner, attending funerals to pretend he's a relative of the deceased. This bizarre profession leads him into a series of darkly comedic and increasingly strange encounters with the families of the dead and the peculiar characters who populate this underworld of grief. As he navigates these surreal situations, Valery grapples with his own identity and the meaning of life and death.

The film received a mixed to positive reception, lauded for its dark humor, unconventional premise, and strong performances, particularly from Yevgeny Tsyganov. Some critics found its absurdist tone challenging, but many praised its unique exploration of existential themes.

• Praised for its dark, absurdist humor and unique premise.

• Yevgeny Tsyganov's performance is a standout, capturing the character's disillusionment.

• Some viewers found the film's tone and narrative somewhat disjointed.

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Special Jury Prize at the 2006 Kinotavr Open Russian Film Festival, Jury Prize for Best Actor (Yevgeny Tsyganov) at the 2006 International Thessaloniki Film Festival.

The film is based on the play of the same name by Ukrainian playwright Oleg Sentsov, who was later imprisoned in Russia on controversial charges.