Arrhythmia Aritmija

A comedy-drama by one of the leading contemporary Russian directors about two young medical professionals whose long-standing relationship reaches a deadlock, Arrhythmia gives a telling critique of the healthcare system in present-day Russia.

Oleg is heading for his thirties. He works as a paramedic. His wife Katya is also a doctor, working in the hospital’s emergency department. Oleg is highly competent and devoted to his profession, but, after a hard shift, he likes to take a few swigs. Katya’s patience with Oleg is running thin. When Oleg gets roaring drunk at his father-in-law’s party, Katya announces that she wants a divorce…

“I wouldn’t apply the words “interesting and surprising” to the work of medical professionals, because it’s an endless stream of medical cases and routine procedures. While on the outside it might look striking, shocking and gruesome, on the inside people feel like regular employees...” (Boris Khlebnikov)                

Boris Hlebnikov
Born in 1972, in Moscow. He made his co-directorial debut (with Alexey Popogrebsky) with Roads to Koktebel, which screened at the Karlovy Vary FF. Since then, his films have regularly featured at the most prestigious international film festivals. His penultimate film, A Long and Happy Life, received a nomination for the Golden Bear Award at Berlinale.