Andrey Zvyagintsev Retrospective: The Banishment

Loosely based on William Saroyan’s novel The Laughing Matter, a family’s trip to the pastoral countryside unearths a dark, sinister reality beneath the idyllic veneer. Reprising his role as a patriarchal strongman, Alex (played by Konstantin Lavronenko who appeared as the prodigal father in The Return), is faced with the possibility of his wife’s infidelity. As Alex forces his wife to terminate a pregnancy and confronts the man he believes to be the father, The Banishment moves the family drama into a mythic realm.

The film will be shown in 35mm.

In collaboration with Cygnnet Publishing.

The Banishment, dir Andrey Zvyagintsev, Russia 2007, 157 mins