Genre
Synopsis
THE UNION tells the story of the birth of the independent trade union movement in post-USSR Russia through the lens of AvtoVaz, the largest car factory in Russia in the 1990s and the maker of LADA cars. The impact of its action soon resonated throughout the nation, offering hope for a brighter, more democratic future - not just to the AvtoVaz factory workers, but to an entire nation. THE UNION is not just a story about workers’ rights in Russia - it’s about how people come together to fight for change, and what happens when that hard-won progress begins to slip away.
My generation is unique in Russian history - we came of age in the Soviet Union, witnessed perestroika, and experienced the transition to an open economy and newfound freedoms, all in our formative years. I am a product of this transformative era, one fuelled by hope, an emerging understanding of rights, and the belief in an open world. For me, this period was especially personal because my father was a trailblazer in the movement toward a democratic future - he led the Union. I grew up immersed in this movement, absorbing the principles of democracy like a sponge. This gives me a rare and invaluable perspective to tell the story of this time from an insider’s point of view, supported by the Union’s extensive archival footage and my personal connections with those who dedicated themselves to building a democratic future - one that once felt within reach but now seems like a distant dream.
Through a journey "back in time," the film delves into the complex nature of collective action and how, in order to effect change, one must first foster the belief that change is even possible.
Bio
After working in banking for 10 years, I took a leap of faith and enrolled in UCLA’s Professional Producers Program. Since that I also completed the MFA Production Program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and found my passion in documentary filmmaking
I am inspired by passionate strong independent women making their dreams come true in their chosen fields. My first feature documentary JOY WOMACK: THE WHITE SWAN (2021) follows a young Texan ballerina’s journey to becoming the first American dancer to sign and dance with the Bolshoi Ballet in Russia. The film was released theatrically in the UK (101 Films), the United States (Film Movement), as well as in Russia (Capella Film). It received great reviews, including New York Times.
After that I created my second documentary feature BREAKING BOUNDARIES to capture Nastasya, a young African-American woman who competed at an international level in the predominantly white sport of rhythmic gymnastics and her history-making journey of tireless efforts in overcoming the emotional, physical and financial challenges along the way.
