Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev made a powerful return to the Cannes Film Festival with his new film Minotaur, a crime drama that explores murder, corruption, and moral decay in Russia during the early stages of President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.
The film premiered to strong acclaim and is being seen as a major contender for the Palme d’Or.
Minotaur follows a wealthy shipping company executive who is pressured to meet a military quota of 150 workers after Russia’s 2022 mobilisation.
At the same time, he investigates suspicions of his wife’s infidelity, with the personal storyline gradually reflecting broader themes of deception, violence, and state corruption.
Critics say the film subtly links domestic moral breakdown with the wider brutality of the war.
Zvyagintsev said the film was shaped by the political realities of Russia and his long-standing interest in how power and corruption affect ordinary lives.
While he avoided overt political messaging, he described the film as a way to express truths about Russian society through symbolism and restraint rather than direct commentary.
This marks Zvyagintsev’s first film made outside Russia, as he now works from Latvia after leaving the country in 2022 following illness and recovery challenges.
He previously directed acclaimed films such as Leviathan (2014) and Loveless (2017), both of which were Oscar-nominated and drew criticism from Russian authorities for their implicit critique of the state.
The director also reflected on his difficult personal journey, including a serious illness that left him in a coma for 40 days and required extensive rehabilitation.
He described returning to Cannes as a significant personal and professional milestone.
While Minotaur is inspired in part by classic European cinema, Zvyagintsev said its themes evolved after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, blending intimate family drama with wider political realities.
He emphasized his belief that relationships themselves can reflect conflict, describing family life as a “battlefield” shaped by difficult choices and moral tensions. (AP)
