Khrzhanovsky's 'Dau' Enters Venice Race Amid Questions Over Funding
Ilya Khrzhanovsky's 195-minute epic 'Dau' premieres at Venice, exploring Soviet science and power, with the director defending his funding sources.
Russian-born filmmaker Ilya Khrzhanovsky brings his long-gestating epic "Dau" to the Venice Film Festival's main competition, where it screens on Wednesday, September 9. The 195-minute German-French-Swedish production, presented with a 15-minute intermission, marks the culmination of a project that began in 2006.
The film stars Teodor Currentzis as Dau, a brilliant Greek-born physicist living in the USSR from 1928 to 1968. Inspired by the life of Soviet physicist Lev Landau, the narrative follows a scientist whose work and personal existence are shaped by the Soviet system's pursuit of nuclear weapons. Set largely within a secret research institute, the drama examines scientific ambition, state power, surveillance, and privilege as Dau contends with restrictions on his professional and private life. Radmila Shchogolieva and Anatoly Vasiliev are among the principal cast members.
Earlier works from the DAU project, including "DAU. Natasha," co-directed by Khrzhanovsky and Jekaterina Oertel, competed at the 2020 Berlinale, where cinematographer Jürgen Jürges received a Silver Bear. Khrzhanovsky's debut feature, "4," premiered at Venice in 2004 and later won the Tiger Award at Rotterdam.
"Dau" is one of 21 films vying for the Golden Lion. The jury is chaired by American filmmaker and actor Maggie Gyllenhaal, with members including Kaouther Ben Hania, Daniel Blumberg, Francesco Casetti, Xavier Giannoli, Shahrbanoo Sadat, and Johnnie To. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival runs through September 12, 2026.