Sex, Fear, and Hamburgers


The 30-year-old Iskander is a food-photographer who, due to his own indecision, experiences a crisis both in his work and in his sexual relation with his colleague and beloved Laura. He wants to change his situation by completing a promising project for a popular fast food chain. Because of a “red level of terrorist threat” in the city, while he’s working he ends up locked in a fast food with a random customer, Anat. The two have sex, then Iskander backs out, but Anat finds a way to get satisfaction. She teaches him not to be afraid of mistakes. Iskander gains self-confidence and shows his courage in his job and in sex with Laura, who finally gives him her respect and love.

Festivals (selected)

Venezia 75 - orizzonti short Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica 2018, Italy - World Premiere
Busan International Film Festival 2018, South Korea
Moscow International Film Festival 2019, Russia

Director's statement

This film is based on a true event, a terrorist attack in my home city. No one was ready for this, policemen and citizens. For everyone reality was then split in two – before and after the attack. It transformed us. I’m trying to show how crises, like a terrorist attack or difficulties in social life, can become a way to grow up.

Eldar Shibanov

DIRECTOR / writer

Yuliya Levitskaya

Producer / co-writer

Kairat Temirgaliyev

cinematographer

Dias Shibanov

visual concept