Dau. Katya Tanya [exclusive]
DAU. Katya Tanya (2020) is a dramatic feature film within the massive, controversial DAU project directed by Ilya Khrzhanovskiy and Jekaterina Oertel. Movie Overview
Plot Summary: Katya, a young librarian living in Soviet Russia, experiences a series of disappointing romantic affairs until she finds deep tenderness and understanding with her colleague, a journalist named Tanya.
Core Theme: The film explores LGBT+ romance in a repressive era, contrasting passionate happiness with mundane depression.
Context: Part of the "DAU" universe, it takes place at a secret Soviet research institute where participants lived in a simulated historical environment for years. Cast and Key Characters
The full cast consists of non-professional actors performing in an improvisational style:
Katya (Ekaterina Yuspina): A librarian (1942–1953) who initially seeks love through various men at the Institute before turning to Tanya.
Tanya (Tatyana Polozhiy): A journalist and sensitive companion to Katya.
Dau (Teodor Currentzis): The eccentric head of the Institute based on Lev Landau; he plays a peripheral role in this specific film. Nora (Radmila Shegoleva): Dau's wife.
Alexey Trifonov: Chief of the General Department; involved in a controversial, intense scene with Katya. Watching and Availability Parents guide - DAU. Katya Tanya (2020) - IMDb
DAU. Katya Tanya (2020) is a feature-length film directed by Jekaterina Oertel and Ilya Khrzhanovskiy, serving as a significant, albeit controversial, entry in the massive DAU cinematic project. The film shifts the project’s focus toward female subjectivity and the forbidden nature of queer relationships within the oppressive framework of a 1950s Soviet research institute. Narrative Plot and Setting
Set within the hyper-realistic, immersive world of "The Institute"—a reconstructed Soviet-era science center—the story follows Katya (Ekaterina Yuspina), a young librarian whose idealistic views on love are repeatedly crushed by a series of hollow affairs with men, including the scientist Dau himself.
A Shift to Tenderness: Amidst the cold and often violent atmosphere of the Institute, Katya finds a rare sense of connection and understanding with Tanya (Tatyana Polozhiy), a journalist.
The Conflict: Their burgeoning lesbian relationship represents a "domestic normalcy" that stands in direct opposition to the Institute's rigid social structures.
The Intervention: The relationship is ultimately deemed "unacceptable for a Soviet woman" by the First Department (the state security services), leading to a harsh and tragic intervention that mirrors the systemic homophobia of the era. Themes and Critical Analysis DAU. Katya Tanya
As one of the few entries in the DAU cycle to pass the Vito Russo Test for LGBTQ+ visibility, the film is frequently analyzed for its depiction of non-normative love in a totalitarian state.
The Grinding of Sand on Tiles…”: Forms of Female Subjectivity in “DAU. Katya Tanya”
The film DAU. Katya Tanya (2020) is a pivotal entry in Ilya Khrzhanovskiy’s massive and controversial DAU project, a cinematic experiment that blurred the lines between reality and fiction by housing participants in a meticulously reconstructed Soviet "Institute" for years. Unlike other entries that focus on the brutal bureaucracy of the Stalinist era, Katya Tanya centers on an intimate, forbidden romance between two women. Narrative Core: Love Against the State
The story spans a decade, following Katya (Ekaterina Yuspina), a librarian at the Institute, through her search for genuine connection.
1942: The film opens with Katya seeing off a young scientist, Sasha, to WWII. His idealistic belief that "love lasts forever" haunts her after he never returns.
1952: After years of hollow affairs and observation, Katya meets the physicist Dau (Teodor Currentzis), who challenges her to stop observing and start living.
The Forbidden Romance: Katya eventually finds tenderness with Tanya (Tatyana Polozhiy), a journalist. Their relationship provides a rare "LGBT+ angle" in the project, which was highly frowned upon in the Soviet setting—and remains a sensitive topic in modern Russia.
The Tragic Arc: The romance is ultimately crushed by the First Department (State Security), which views their love as unacceptable for a Soviet woman. Artistic and Academic Significance From Soviet Hairstyles to Contemporary Gender Politics
The Fascinating Story of DAU: Katya and Tanya, the Faces of a Groundbreaking Project
The world of art and cinema is full of innovative projects that push boundaries and challenge the status quo. One such project that has been making waves in recent years is DAU, a experimental film series that has been gaining international recognition. At the heart of this project are two talented women, Katya and Tanya, who have become the faces of DAU. In this article, we'll delve into the world of DAU, exploring its concept, the creative minds behind it, and the roles of Katya and Tanya in bringing this ambitious project to life.
What is DAU?
DAU (Daily, All the Time, Universe) is a experimental film project created by Ilya Prudikhin, a Russian filmmaker and artist. The project began in 2007 and has been ongoing ever since, with new episodes and installments being released periodically. DAU is a cinematic universe that defies traditional narrative structures, instead offering a series of vignettes, sketches, and performances that explore the human condition.
The project is known for its avant-garde approach, blending elements of art, film, and performance to create a unique viewing experience. DAU has been described as a "total work of art," a Gesamtkunstwerk that incorporates various artistic disciplines, including cinema, theater, music, and visual arts. Content Concept: "The Architects of Immersion" Format: A
The Concept and Vision
According to Ilya Prudikhin, DAU is an attempt to create a new kind of art form that captures the essence of modern life. The project is inspired by the idea of a continuous, unedited flow of life, where the boundaries between reality and fiction are blurred. Through DAU, Prudikhin aims to create a sense of immersion, drawing viewers into a world that is both familiar and strange.
The project is characterized by its use of non-professional actors, often performing in a state of improvisation. This approach creates a sense of spontaneity and rawness, adding to the project's overall sense of realism. DAU's use of long takes, natural lighting, and location shooting further contributes to its documentary-like feel.
Katya and Tanya: The Faces of DAU
At the heart of DAU are two talented women, Katya and Tanya, who have become synonymous with the project. Katya and Tanya are non-professional actors who were cast in the project for their unique personalities and chemistry.
Katya, whose full name is not publicly known, is a Ukrainian actress and artist who has been involved with DAU since its early days. She has become one of the project's most recognizable faces, appearing in numerous episodes and installments.
Tanya, on the other hand, is a Russian actress and musician who joined DAU in 2010. Her performances in the project have been widely praised for their intensity and emotional depth.
Together, Katya and Tanya have become the core of DAU, appearing in many of the project's most memorable episodes. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, and their performances have been praised for their naturalism and authenticity.
The Performances and Episodes
DAU features a wide range of performances and episodes, each one showcasing the talents of Katya, Tanya, and the other actors involved. Some episodes are short and experimental, while others are longer and more narrative-driven.
One of the most notable episodes featuring Katya and Tanya is "Katya and Tanya in the Kitchen," a short film that showcases the duo's chemistry and comedic timing. In this episode, Katya and Tanya play two women engaged in a conversation about everyday life, their discussion ranging from the mundane to the surreal.
Other notable episodes include "New York" and "Kharkov," both of which feature Katya and Tanya in leading roles. These episodes have been praised for their nuanced portrayals of life in Russia and Ukraine, offering a glimpse into the cultures and experiences of these countries.
The Reception and Impact
DAU has been widely recognized as a groundbreaking project, attracting attention from art critics, film scholars, and audiences around the world. The project has been praised for its innovative approach, its use of non-professional actors, and its ability to capture the essence of modern life.
Katya and Tanya's performances have been particularly lauded, with many critics noting their naturalism and authenticity. The duo has become cult figures in the art world, with fans and admirers following their work closely.
Conclusion
DAU is a remarkable project that has been pushing the boundaries of art and cinema for over a decade. At its heart are Katya and Tanya, two talented women who have become the faces of this innovative project. Through their performances, Katya and Tanya have brought DAU to life, offering a glimpse into a world that is both familiar and strange.
As DAU continues to evolve and grow, it's clear that Katya and Tanya will remain at the forefront of this creative endeavor. Their work on DAU has been widely recognized, and their contributions to the project have been invaluable.
Whether you're an art enthusiast, a film buff, or simply someone interested in exploring new and innovative creative projects, DAU is definitely worth checking out. With Katya and Tanya at its core, DAU is sure to continue pushing the boundaries of art and cinema for years to come.
Content Concept: "The Architects of Immersion"
Format: A vertical video series (Reels/TikTok) or a photo carousel with narrative captions.
Visual Aesthetic:
- Costumes: Strict 1960s Soviet laboratory wear (white coats, dark skirts, ID badges).
- Setting: A dimly lit, wood-paneled office filled with strange equipment (oscilloscopes, glass tubes, paperwork).
- Color Grading: Desaturated, high-contrast "scientific" look (greens, greys, clinical whites).
The Premise: A Closed System
Set in a shabby Soviet apartment in the 1950s/60s, the film introduces us to Katya (Marina Kuklis) and Tanya (Lidiya Shumilova). Katya is a brilliant, volatile mathematician who has been fired from her institute. Tanya is her lover, caretaker, and emotional hostage.
The "DAU" project is famous for its method acting—actors lived as their characters for years in a recreated Soviet city. In Katya Tanya, you feel every second of that confinement. The apartment becomes a pressure cooker. Katya, denied an outlet for her intellect, turns her analytical fury inward onto the only person left in her orbit: Tanya.
The Performance of Power
Marina Kuklis delivers a performance that is almost unwatchable in its realism. Katya is not a villain in the theatrical sense; she is a gravitational pull. She swings from childlike vulnerability to sadistic verbal abuse with a speed that feels medically accurate. She demands Tanya leave, then blocks the door. She accuses Tanya of betrayal, then begs for her touch.
Lidiya Shumilova’s Tanya is the film’s broken heart. She is the "battered wife" of a non-marriage. Tanya has internalized the logic of the state: loyalty is survival. She cleans the apartment, mends Katya’s dress, and endures psychological torture with the stoicism of a woman who has no concept of "self" outside of her oppressor.
3. Tanya (The Wife and the Matriarch)
Tanya refers to Kora (or Cora), Dau’s wife, though in certain translations and subtitles, or specifically regarding the film DAU. Katya Tanya, the focus shifts between the women. However, the primary "wife" figure in the DAU universe is Kora (played by Darya Ekamasova). Costumes: Strict 1960s Soviet laboratory wear (white coats,
- The Narrative: Kora/Tanya is the anchor. She is strong-willed, sharp-tongued, and fiercely protective of Dau, yet she suffers the most from his infidelities (specifically with women like Katya).
- The Conflict: Her arc is defined by a struggle for dignity. She fights to maintain a household and a marriage in an environment that encourages debauchery and moral decay. In the broader context of the films, her character undergoes a significant transformation from a loving wife to a woman hardened by betrayal and the harsh realities of the Soviet state.
- Significance: She represents endurance. While Katya represents the fragility of the muse, Kora/Tanya represents the resilience required to survive both a genius husband and a totalitarian regime.