Stepne (2023)

Plot

Amid the breathtaking winter scenery of Ukraine, Stepne explores themes of isolation and nostalgia in a post-Soviet landscape. Anatolii, a middle-aged man, returns to his rural hometown to care for his terminally ill mother. As he navigates the emotional terrain of family reunions—with his estranged brother and a former love—he grapples with his past decisions. Just before her passing, his mother reveals a buried treasure in the shed, prompting Anatolii to confront not only his heritage but also the meaning of legacy and connection in a world that feels increasingly disconnected.