Genre: War/Action

Duration: 138 mins

Format: 35mm

Director: Alexander Kott

Cast: Andrey Merzlikin, Pavel Derevyanko, Veronika Nikonova, Anna Tsukanova, Aleksei Kopashov

Awards: Nominated for Best Film and Best Director (2010 NIKA Awards)

The Red Army's defense of the Brest Fortress against the Nazis in June 1941 is one of the most resonant episodes of the Great Patriotic War. Based on the true story of how Hitler invaded the USSR the film looks at three main resistance zones headed by the regiment commander, Gavrilov. This is intertwined with the romantic tale of 15-year-old Sasha Akimov and the beautiful Anya, whose affection for each other is harshly interrupted one afternoon when Sasha is thrown into the bloody events of the war. A modern masterpiece of Russian cinema, the film celebrates the myth of the fearless warriors who managed to hold their own for 9 days against the initial onslaught of Hitler's armies. Set to be one of the highlights at this year's Festival, Brest Fortress is a must-see film of epic proportions.