Old people belong here: Cillian Murphy — the Coal miner and John Malkovich — the pop idol

The weekly rental was captured by laureates of all stripes. There are Oscar winners Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Christoph Waltz and Golden Globe winner Amanda Seyfried, and Cannes favorite Atom Egoyan. There's a lot to see. But the general tone is frightening. In the truest sense of the word: thrillers, mysticism, dramas. And only Vladimir Kott's comedy with Irina Pegova and Pavel Derevyanko will allow you to relax and have fun. Izvestia — about what to watch in the cinema next weekend.

The little things of life, 18+

Directed by Tim Millants

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Emily Watson, Claire Dunn, Kieran Hinds, Michelle Fairley, Eileen Walsh

The film was produced by Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Cillian Murphy. The story is based on real events described in well-known investigative journalism and UN materials.

Ireland, 1985. There is a women's shelter at the monastery called the Magdalene Laundries. Girls who had to pay for their adultery with hard work get there. Women were tortured under the pretext of re-education, and they were often pregnant. The Irish writer Claire Keegan told about this in her novel "The Little Things of Life". The book was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. And she inspired Tim Millants to make it into a movie.

Oscar-winning Cillian Murphy plays coal miner and respectable family man Bill Furlong. He has a big family — a wife and five children. To feed everyone, Bill sells coal, delivering it on his truck. On Christmas Eve, he accidentally witnesses horrific events outside the walls of a Catholic monastery. In his search for justice, he will have to face the disapproval of his family and challenge society. The Berlin Film Festival awarded Emily Watson the Silver Bear for Best Supporting Actor.

Seven Veils, 16+

Directed by Atom Egoyan

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Rebecca Liddyard, Douglas Smith, Vinessa Antoine, Mark O'Brien, Maya Jay Bastidas

The painting was presented at the last Berlinale as part of the Berlinale Special Gala program. Amanda Seyfried, the lead actress, had already starred in Atom Egoyan's film "Chloe" 16 years ago.

Janine is a director at the opera house. She is young and ambitious. And finally she gets a reason to prove herself, she is offered to put on "Salome". But this opera by Richard Strauss was already brilliantly realized by her mentor Charles a few years ago — and died soon after.

The libretto of the opera is based on the Biblical myth of Salome, the stepdaughter of the Jewish king Herod. He had a vicious passion for the girl. And she falls in love with the imprisoned prophet Jokanaan (John the Baptist). Herod is ready to do anything for Salome to be with him. He asks me to give him at least a dance. And the girl responds. Salome dances with seven veils, gradually becoming naked. As a reward, she asks for the head of her lover, who rejected her.

The plot of the opera echoes the fate of Janine. She is immersed in memories that threaten to turn her world upside down. It seems to her that something terrible could happen. Off stage, the master was a rapist. And the trauma received by the girl still does not let go.

Opus, 18+

Directed by Mark Anthony Green

Starring: Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich, Murray Bartlett, Amber Midfander, Tatanka Means, Yang Mazino, Tamera Tomakili, Juliette Lewis, Stephanie Suganami, Peter Diset, Melissa Chambers, Mark Sivertsen, Aspen Martinez

The thriller starring John Malkovich is the full—length debut of screenwriter and director Mark Anthony Greene. He used to work as a gloss editor. He decided to tell about how life is disfigured by craving for the famous and famous in his film.

In the story, legendary pop singer Moretti, who disappeared 30 years ago under mysterious circumstances, decided to stun everyone with a resurrection. The shock is fueled by the intrigue that the star will return to the stage with the greatest album of our time. In the meantime, Moretti gathers numerous guests at his remote estate. The young journalist Ariel also receives an invitation to the presentation. It's a shock for a girl, but it's also a chance. After all, Ariel still feels underestimated in the editorial office of a prestigious music magazine. A unique collection awaits her. The girl quickly realizes that she is at the center of Moretti's cunning plan. And this is most likely a sect in which the pop legend is an idol.

Ayo Edebiri, who plays a journalist, does not give in to the recognized master John Malkovich in the role of a pop star. But it's impossible to predict how he'll improvise in the next scene. From this, the sight on the screen captures and excites. Moretti plays with his guests like a cat with mice, scaring them to madness. Worshipping hypocritical people, postponing your own life for later, as a confirmation of the truth — do not create an idol for yourself. But someone realizes it too late.

To create music for the film, the director invited Grammy-winning legendary producer Nile Rodgers, who worked with David Bowie and Madonna. And it is through his efforts that the audience will hear the voice of John Malkovich. The actor once sang in the opera, but 40 years have passed since then. In Russia, the film was released a day earlier than in the United States, on March 13.

Retired killer, 16+

Directed by: Simon West

Starring: Christoph Waltz, Lucy Liu, Cooper Hoffman, Desmond Eastwood, Ryan McParland, Ann Akingirin

Director Simon West is known for the action films "The Expendables 2", "Air Prison", "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider". In the new action, the Brit clearly relied on the cast of Christopher Waltz and Lucy Liu.

Back in 2024, the action comedy was called "The Old Guy." But this name is not charged with commercial success. "The Retired Killer" will probably sell better. Danny Dolinsky (Christoph Waltz) is a retired mercenary. He still considers himself an unsurpassed master of his craft. But it turns out that customers rely on young people. He can't defend his position, and he's going to prove that the old killer is better than the new two.

His employers offer him a new mission, but he will carry it out in the company of the young murderer Wilborg. He is portrayed as a virtuoso, but in reality his hands are growing out of nowhere. The killers receive an order to eliminate the leader of a rival crime syndicate. It soon becomes clear that they were framed. The task is a trap. And they should be eliminated themselves. Now, in order to survive, it will take not only the skill of the old killer, but also the young enthusiasm of his partner.

Man and woman, 16+

Director: Vladimir Kott

Starring: Pavel Derevyanko, Irina Pegova, Stepan Devonin, Anna Deryabina, Kirill Kyaro, Svetlana Pervushina, Dmitry Kulichkov, Olga Medynich

The only optimistic picture in the review is Vladimir Kott's comedy "A Man and a Woman." The director has adapted seven love stories. And, as the classic wrote, all ages are submissive to love. They worked on the painting for about two years, starting during covid. Each novel was shot separately — as an independent small movie.

Collecting an almanac under the name that went down in the history of world cinema along with the painting "A Man and a Woman" by Claude Lelouch is a bold undertaking. And the slogan for Vladimir Kott's work is homage to director Pavel Arsenov and Soviet cinema in general — "Do not part with your loved ones."