ARTDOCFEST RIGA
After the fall of the Iron Curtain, Russia experienced a drug epidemic. Zhanna and Aleksey are the survivors; they are in their thirties, living in a small Saint Petersburg apartment with Aleksey’s mother and trying to control their use of heroin. “When It Blinds” follows Zhanna and Aleksey’s everyday in a sensitive manner, testifying to the fact that in the seemingly direst of circumstances there can still be a room for tenderness, quiet joy, and humour. Ivette Löcker has studied Slavic Studies, the history of Eastern Europe, and sociology; she began her documentary work doing research for other documentary project. This is her third feature under her own name.