OF FREAKS AND MEN
aka PRO URODOV I LYUDEJ

Year: 1998
UK: Metro Tartan
Cast: Aleksei De, Anzhelika Nevolina, Sergei Makovetsky, Dinara Drukarova, Victor Sukhorukov, Lika Nevolina, Chingiz Tsydendabaev
Director: Alexei Balabanov
Country: Russia
Language: Russian (English subtitles)
UK Certificate: 18 for theme of pornography and for occasional full nudity and sexual activity
UK Release Date: 14 April 2000

Synopsis

Beginning of the 20th century St Petersburg. Johann and his assistants specialise in the fabrication of erotic photographs depicting the floggings of bare-bottomed women. Handsome and secretive, Johann and his creations gradually penetrate the peaceful households of two upper class Russian families.

A haunting melodrama of hidden passions and sadomasochistic urges. A bizarre tale in which manipulation and revenge rule amidst the charm, innocence and perversion of days gone by. The latest essay in dark absurdism is closer to the wilder shores of Russian literature than to anything seen in memory on the Russian screen.