Further and Further (CLOSING)

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, director Tanya Chekhova not only left behind her motherland Russia, but also her aging grandfather Vladimir Fridkin; a physics professor in his mid-90s. 

This highly authentic 6-year spanning video diary shows the sparse moments Vladimir, torn between East and West, can see his family members, often with scientific conferences as its decor. Unguarded discussions about the war give a rare insight into Russian public opinion. Running high on life and tongue-in-cheek (gran)dad jokes, Vladimir’s eyes never lose their sparkle, but the weight of the forced separation from his loved ones is readable from his face. In the film’s concluding moments, a standout intimate reflection on Vladimir’s legacy in the sphere of physics offers a moving view of the transmission of knowledge and the finite nature of human existence, making this the perfect closing film. 

TALK To end the festival accordingly, we are happy that this portrayal will be profoundly discussed with the director herself, Tanya Chekhova, and our programmer Thomas Streekstra. An interesting Q&A about the bold camera techniques and the endearing theme, as a perfect ending to this eventful 10th edition of the InScience Film Festival.