In the coastal city of Kaliningrad, Venya believes the world is nearing its end.

He studies the Bible obsessively, incessantly quoting chapter and verse. His refusal to undress for swimming lessons is the unusual first step on a path to religious fanaticism. Conflict with his mother and classmates develops into a confrontation with his biology teacher Elena, as he objects to Darwinian theories of evolution and ‘modern’ teachings on sex and homosexuality. Meanwhile in the background lies Venya's conflicted sexuality, anti-Semitism and accusations of sexual molestation by Elena.

A scathing and satirical work, The Student is driven by strong performances and Vladislav Opelyants' inventive cineamaography.

The Student (Uchenik), dir. Kirill Serebrennikov, Russia 2016, 118mins, Russian with English subtitles.