WNUK GAGARINA

12-year-old Gena lives in a Russian children’s home, and sometimes he tells people he’s Gagarin’s grandchild. He can count on astonished reactions, since Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, automatically springs to mind, and Gena is not only black but different in most ways from children of his age. He’s an outsider by virtue of his colour; not a day passes without him being reminded of the fact. But that’s not to say the mischievous and obstinately wilful boy is a sad figure. One day, his real brother appears out of the blue. Superficially they would appear to have very little in common, and it soon emerges that they’re like chalk and cheese. But their differences soon become a bonding factor, whereas the people around Gena remain bigoted. There is no acceptance to be expected from the kids at school or even the teachers, and the father of one classmate bribes him to stop playing with his daughter.

No matter what obstacles Gena has to overcome, he doesn’t need help from his brother or anybody else. Defiance and the ability to dream help him to stay aloof and give him the strength he needs.

The story of a boy, and an agreeably non-sanctimonious first film about racism in Russia.