The Banishment

Andrey Zvyagintsev directs this Russian drama based on the novel by William Saroyan. Set in an unnamed location and time, the story follows Alex (Konstantin Lavronenko), Vera (Maria Bonnevie), their young son and daughter, and Alex's brother Mark (Aleksandr Baluev), as they relocate from the city to Alex and Mark's father's old house in the country. Once there, Vera tells Alex that she is pregnant, and he believes the baby cannot be his, causing Alex to face huge personal dilemmas, wondering whether to forgive her or exact revenge.

Acting on advice from his malevolent brother, Alex demands that Vera terminate the pregnancy. But when complications suddenly arise, Alex's weakening grasp on reality threatens to place events beyond his control.