They sing about love, war and forgiveness. The voices pertain to drug dealers, thieves or murderers jailed in one of the about thousand Russian prisons or penal camps. They all dream about becoming part of the song contest “Kalina Krasnaya“. Each of the approximately 700,000 Russian prisoners has the opportunity to participate. Natalia Abashkina, director of the show, travels tirelessly through the country looking for talents and caring about her fosterlings.
The film explores the world behind bars, reflects the social reality of a state still characterized by arbitrariness and brutality – and encounters people who, in the penal camps, discover their artistic soul.
The film explores the world behind bars, reflects the social reality of a state still characterized by arbitrariness and brutality – and encounters people who, in the penal camps, discover their artistic soul.
“It seems as if the filmmaker only wanted to tell about the managing of the show, but the film presents a much broader picture of Russia to the world”. (Vitaly Mansky, Meduza.io)
Gala concert Kalina Krasnaya, Vologda 2014
Concert of prisoners in Penal Colony No. 17, Vologda region
'How about you? Are you on your way of amendment?'
Press conference Kalina Krasnaya, Vologda 2014
“Example for wearing a mandated uniform: Summer / Winter”
Penal camp No 7, St.Petersburg
Show director Natalia Abashkina rehearsling with a prisoner
