Search: Starring Ingeborga Dapkunaite

No detail is too much trouble, nothing is out of place, discordant or jarring; it is a film of seamless beauty.

A period piece with a relationship plot at the heart of the narrative, enhanced by wonderful cinematography and authentic production values.

The film is so well written that the magic realistic aspect of Helen's apparition in places where she could never be is acceptable as a plot device.

Aided by colour coding of the costumes - red unsurprisingly stands for danger - Uchitel and his cinematographer Yury Klimenko maintain a heightened sense of emotion.

The script by Peter Berry is sharp, tight, witty and intelligent, matched by supremely confidant actors, working in the Prime Suspect style of disciplined individuality.

Despite its grim, men-descending-into-savagery themes, the script by Arif Aliev never loses its sense of humour.