Master of Cannes, Sergei Loznitsa's 'The Two Prosecutors' Maximizes the Horror of Totalitarianism Through the Performances of Actors

The film 〈The Two Prosecutors〉, which depicts the story of a prosecutor trapped in a suffocating maze of power, is set to be released in theaters nationwide on April 1. This new work by the master of Ukraine, Sergei Loznitsa, beloved by the Cannes Film Festival, has already garnered intense interest in the film industry for its restrained performances that capture the chilling fable of totalitarianism.

Absurd Tension During the Great Purge of Stalin... Based on the Novel by Georgy Demidov

The film 〈The Two Prosecutors〉 is set against the backdrop of the Great Purge of Stalin in 1937. It tells the story of rookie prosecutor Korneyev, who accidentally acquires a blood-written confession from a prisoner and enters the maze of power to uncover the truth. Based on the autobiographical novel of writer Georgy Demidov, who was imprisoned for 16 years in a Siberian labor camp, this work chillingly depicts how an individual's goodwill is eroded within a vast system.

It has already competed in the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and won the François Chalais Award, receiving high praise as a "hot fable that touches reality."

Alexander Kuznetsov's Intense Presence... A Young Bureaucrat Witnessing the Cracks in the System

The role of young prosecutor Korneyev is played by Ukrainian actor Alexander Kuznetsov. Having gained international recognition through 〈Fantastic Beasts and Dumbledore's Secrets〉, he portrays the anxiety and resolve of a bureaucrat who first confronts the contradictions of the system with delicate expressions. He effectively serves as the central axis of the tension in the film, expressing the fear and chaos that seep behind his calm exterior with just a glance.

Powerful Performances by Veteran Russian Actors... Dual Roles and the Cold Face of Power

The role of the Communist Party elder Stepanak, trapped in an underground prison, is played by the great Russian actor Alexander Filipenko, who delivers a profound resonance. Notably, he performs a dual role as both Stepanak and an old man whom the protagonist encounters on a train, adding a peculiar aftertaste to the film.

Additionally, Anatoly Bely, who plays the prosecutor general Vishinsky, a symbol of cold power, vividly embodies the logic of the system with a restrained and ruthless performance. Interestingly, all three lead actors oppose Russia's invasion of Ukraine and have left Russia to continue their work, making the film's resistant message against totalitarianism feel even more authentic.

The film 〈The Two Prosecutors〉, which densely portrays the fear of the regime tightening in the midst of closed doors and endless waiting, will be available in theaters nationwide on April 1.