by The Wellington Russian Club hosted the premiere screening of the feature film Aviator (2025), directed by Egor Konchalovsky and based on the novel of the same name by Evgeny Vodolazkin — one of the most notable and profound works of contemporary Russian literature. The film was shown in Russian with English subtitles and attracted both the local Russian‑speaking community and New Zealanders with an interest in Russian culture.
The story takes viewers to the year 2026. Cryonics researchers discover people who were frozen nearly a century ago and attempt to bring them back to life. Only one of them survives — Innokentiy Platonov, who has completely lost all memory of his past. Gradually, he begins to reconstruct it piece by piece, becoming a key to understanding events that took place a hundred years earlier. For almost two hours, the film keeps the audience in a state of emotional tension — following the fate of the protagonist and anticipating a resolution that becomes the culmination of the entire story.
The adaptation preserves the novel’s multi-layered nature, confidently combining historical drama, philosophical reflection, and the personal journey of a man trying to rediscover himself. The film raises questions about the ethics of scientific experimentation, our connection to the past and the future, and the inner qualities that shape human identity.
After the screening, a short celebratory introduction took place: the organizers congratulated women on the recent International Women’s Day on March 8, followed by several musical performances. The warm atmosphere became a natural continuation of the evening and smoothly transitioned into an open discussion of the film.
During the conversation, viewers highlighted the expressive acting, the depth of the dramaturgy, and the relevance of the themes explored. Among the comments were:
- “A remarkable film! Outstanding performances.”
- “An excellent cast — every actor perfectly chosen.”
- “This film is truly timeless.”
The Wellington Russian Club expresses its gratitude to all participants for their interest in the event and their support of cultural initiatives. We continue to work on our programme of future screenings and look forward to welcoming you at upcoming events.
