Synopsis
"The Return" is a short dance film. It is a story about war, love and relationships affected by them. It is our way to say no to war. Everyday many channels broadcast news about war somewhere in the world. Those people who live in the countries not affected directly nowadays are not affected emotionally by messages about bombings, destruction, death. The moment war touches a family, their world is crushed. The horror of war is its possibility to destroy life of anyone. In our film there are two characters: Military and his wife. Military is portrayed by Anton Popichenko, two-time Champion of Russia in Milonga, several times finalist of Europe, Bronze Champion of Mundial in Tango Argentina, winner of Blackpool Dance Festival, winner of the Isadora Duncan prize. His wife is portrayed by Maria Marinova-Vasilieva who is the top dance Champion of Russia, Vice Champion of Europe, and World Champion finalist in Tango Argentina.
The main character returns home from war. In the hall he sees his wife's slippers and understands that she is out. In the living room, while waiting for her, he changes channels of the TV and every time he gets news or films about war. War does not release him, it pursues him even at home. The Hero tries to escape it and switch off the TV. Sounds of normal life, children's voices, get into the room from the street. In order not only to hear but to feel the peaceful life, he goes to change his military clothes to civilian ones, and sees his wife’s dresses. One dress brings back memories of his former happy life. He remembers a fancy family evening and his wife in this dress. He dances with the wife's dress as once he danced with her. Overwhelmed by emotions he loses the sense of time and reality. The moment his wife comes in he is standing in the middle of the room. She does not see him and passes by and sits behind the table. They both have changed and do not express emotions as they did in the past. At that moment, we see the portrait of the Hero turning into the portrait on a gravestone and understand that he is dead. While the woman does not want to forget her husband and keeps his portrait, shadows of their happy past dance on the walls of the room.