Year: 2023
Genre: Drama
Duration: 16 min
Status: Open for public
A woman of Eastern European descent, living in the UK for 20 years, struggles with cultural isolation and a strained marriage, until one day, driven by a desire for change, she decides to reclaim her identity and reshape her life.
Director Statement
This film is a personal exploration of the complexities faced by Eastern European women living in the UK, torn between their cultural heritage and the pressures of adapting to a new world along with all the possible challenges that marriage can bring throughout life. Over twenty years, Katerina – like many others – navigates the delicate balance of preserving her identity while trying to integrate into a society that often feels foreign. This struggle is not only a matter of external adaptation but an internal battle that takes a toll on her relationships, self-perception, and sense of belonging.
Katerina represents the silent but often painful experiences of many who leave behind everything they know in search of a better life, only to find themselves caught in a trap. The film delves into how cultural isolation, generational divides, and personal sacrifices shape identity. Katerina’s journey is one of self-discovery, where she faces the ultimate decision of what aspects of her past to keep and which parts of her future to embrace.
This film isn’t just about one woman’s struggle. It’s about the universal experience of trying to reconcile who we were with who we are becoming. It’s about the silent battles many women face as they juggle their roles as immigrants, wives, mothers, artists, and individuals. Through intimate storytelling, I hope to give voice to a story that has often been overlooked, shedding light on the complexity of adapting while staying true to oneself.
Ultimately, my goal is to depict a raw, honest portrayal of the tensions that shape an immigrant’s life, particularly for women who are often caught in a liminal space, balancing two identities while trying to make sense of who they are in a world that is constantly shifting around them.
CAST
Katerina
Irina Kara
Dad
Robert Ryan
Lizzy
Alisa Maria Horova
Willie
Gus English
Directed & Produced by
Lidia Shafranova
Written by
Lidia Shafranova
Maria Boteva
Director of Photography
Nikola Auterska
Production Manager
Esther Zanon
Editor & Colourist
Gomolemo Nyakale
Make-up Artist
Callie Foulsham
1st Assistant Camera
Andrea di Franco
2nd Assistant Camera & Gaffer
Willow Bidwell
Sound Recordist
Javier Carles
Foley Artist
Cam Evans
Sound Design
Riccardo Rigacci
Audio Post-Production
MABE STUDIO LTD
Original Score
Tommaso Perazzo
Special thanks to
MORRIS MEWS RESIDENTS
UK, 2023 (c) Lidia Shafranova / SHAFRAN FILMS
Trailer
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CONTACT
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