"A devastating, brilliantly directed and acted drama."

“Ferocious and extraordinary. You often have to remind yourself to breathe.”

"Achingly beautiful. Extraordinary performances and Roma-level production design elevate a brutal yet tender story of two women in post-war Leningrad. Recalls Cristian Mungiu's 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days."

"Brilliant. Balagov is a fiercely individual and quite staggeringly accomplished talent."

“Bold and exacting. Feels damn-near radical.”

“Incredibly strong and deeply felt.”

“Visually resplendent.”

“Superbly crafted and... alive with human spirit.”

“A powerful portrait of mutual need. Balagov's skill as a filmmaker… is beyond doubt.”

“With gorgeous photography and small moments of kindness and hope, Balagov... charts the range of human responses to trauma with great care.”

“Filmed with such raw hypnotic power and beauty that you will find yourself under Balagov’s chokehold. This is easily one of the best films of the year.”