The Duelist
dir. Aleksei Mizgiryov · 2016
Plot
Returning to Saint Petersburg after a long exile, the dashing Yakovlev, a retired army officer, makes a comfortable living by winning other people's duels. An enigmatic, focused, and extremely skilled professional, he leaves a trail of dead bodies behind him as he swirls through polite society, frequently called upon to wield a pistol as a surrogate in duels at dawn. But when Yakovlev meets the naïve young Prince Tuchov and his beautiful sister, Princess Martha, the normally cold-hearted mercenary is surprised by hitherto undetected emotions. What transpires uncovers a series of revelations about his past and his present self.
Why watch
"The Duelist" invites viewers into a world where honor and emotion collide, exploring the complexities of human connection through the lens of a mercenary duelist. With its lush visuals and poignant storytelling, this film is a meditation on the weight of past choices and the unexpected stirrings of the heart.