Two Prosecutors: Historical Drama by Sergei Loznitsa in Theaters
Two Prosecutors, a historical drama directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Sergei Loznitsa, was screened in competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and is set to debut in French theaters on November 5, 2025.
Background and Director's Previous Works
Sergei Loznitsa is a frequent attendee of the Croisette, with notable films such as:
- My Joy (2010)
- In the Fog (2012, FIPRESCI Prize)
- A Gentle Creature (2017)
- Donbass (2018, Best Director Award – Un Certain Regard)
Plot and Themes
Inspired by a short story that was banned for forty years, Two Prosecutors explores the Soviet Union in 1937 during Stalin's Great Purges. The story follows a young idealistic prosecutor who discovers a letter from an unjustly accused prisoner. This prompts him to seek justice within a regime determined to suppress any such efforts.
"Thousands of letters from unjustly accused prisoners are destroyed, but one of them finds its way onto the desk of a young idealistic prosecutor. Convinced of a miscarriage of justice, he embarks on a quest for truth that takes him to the heart of power, facing a regime that crushes any attempt at justice."
Production and Style
The film was shot in a decommissioned prison in Riga that dates back to 1905. It is noted for its stark and oppressive visual style, featuring static shots, a muted palette of greys and browns, and a square format reminiscent of archival footage from the era.
"Loznitsa combines documentary rigor with a tragic dimension in a mise-en-scène inspired by Kafka and Gogol."
Cast and Crew
- Written and directed by Sergei Loznitsa
- Starring Aleksandr Kuznetsov, Aleksandr Filippenko, and Anatoliy Belyy
Two Prosecutors presents a gripping and visually distinct portrayal of a dark chapter in Soviet history, blending historical depth with a haunting artistic approach.
Author's Summary
The film offers a powerful glimpse into Stalin-era repression, portraying a young prosecutor’s dangerous pursuit of truth amidst an oppressive regime.