Anna Konovalova

Blending dramatic situations with a documentary-influenced visual style, Happy Birthday looks in at a typical day in a Russian maternity hospital. The patients range from a middle aged woman pleased if surprised by her current pregnancy to a Muslim woman whose marriage to a Russian has blighted her relationship with her family. No matter what their situations, the women draw strength and support from each other as they share their common experience.

Young ice cream vendor Max aspires to become a techno musician but he experiences a paralyzing fear of performing before stepping on stage at a club. Torn between his toxic friend Alex and his muse Helen, he will need to find the courage to overcome his self-doubt and limitations.

Ukrainian refugees who've found shelter in Latvia, talk about what home means to them. The audio of the interviews is combined with shots of an abandoned Latvian country house, creating a meta-image of home.

Luna begins a new chapter of her life, overwhelmed by doubt in an unfamiliar home. Her first morning becomes a reflective journey into childhood memories, particularly her complex relationship with her mother. These reflections reshape her identity, prompting her to question her understanding of love, family, and herself. As Luna navigates the unknown with optimism, the uncharted blends with the familiar, challenging her perceptions.