“Vernost” (2019) or “Fidelity” as it is known internationally, is an erotic Russian drama by director Nigina Sayfullaeva. This film covers a struggle with intimacy, trust, and self-identity as it relates to marriage.
The trailer of ‘Vernost’ gives a glimpse of Lena’s life as a dutiful midwife and gynecologist who’s carefully life begins to fall apart when she suspects her husband might be cheating on her. The montage elements transitions from Lena’s hospital setting to the peaceful and dark spaces where Lena wishes to escape further mirrors the conflict raging inside of her. The evocative soundtrack not only builds the tension, but captures the audience by fueling a story full of passion, betrayal love, and self-reflection.
Cast:
- Evgeniya Gromova as Lena: Lena, a gifted midwife and gynecologist is the central character of the her journey forms the crux of the narrative.
- As Aleksandr Pal as Sergei: Lena is married to an actor in a provincial theater, his indifference is quite shocking.
- Marina Vasileva as Katya: An actress in Sergei’s circle some of her interactions with him do not leave Lena any chances.
- Aleksey Agranovich as Ivan: A colleague of Lena, they have passion and validation-seeking relationships.
Synopsis:
At the age of 30, Lena has accomplished a life that she has dreamt of.
During the day, she is an esteemed obstetrician-gynecologist who commands the respect of her peers and gratitude of her patients. She seems to live in a perfectly balanced marriage with her husband Sergei, an actor fully absorbed in his role at a regional drama theater. But beneath the mask of domestic bliss, an unpleasant void lurks. Their fiery marriage has simmered down with no trace of intimacy.
Lena’s world takes a dark turn with Sergei’s growing aloofness and the suspicious messages that flash on his phone. The tiniest threads of uncertainty grow into doubt, and these seeds of doubt consume everything in their reach. In a desperate attempt to reclaim desirability, Lena succumbs to a series of random encounters with strangers that are devoid of any sense. These bold and unfettered rendezvous force her to relive aspects of her persona that she had tucked away in the hidden crevices of her closet.
Yet in this chaotic mess, as Lena goes further into this double life, the lines between self-liberation and self-destruction commence to fade away. Threatening the glass castle that she spent a lifetime building, her waking life begins to integrate with her bed time routine. A gap that initiates a massive void between her and Sergei constrains them to face the truths hidden under the surface.
Vernost depicts someone searching for validation in ways that can become dangerously obsessive. It is an equally complex exploration of marital infidelity, societal pressures around marriage, and the elisions that exist between them.