DAU

DAU (2026)



6.9 2026 195 min —

Director: Ilya Khrzhanovsky

Cast: Teodor Currentzis, Radmila Shegoleva, Anatoly Vasiliev, Vladimir Azhippo, Dmitri Tcherniakov

Drama Thriller
Rooted in the real lives of the Soviet scientists behind the atomic bomb, DAU follows the journey of a gifted Greek-born physicist who calls the USSR home from 1928 through 1968. Obsessed with unlocking the universe’s deepest mysteries, Dau finds his brilliance commandeered by the state, thrust into the mission of forging history’s most devastating weapon. Inside a clandestine research compound, existence revolves around scientific supremacy, surveillance, power, and privilege. As his personal freedom erodes, Dau chases escape and meaning in a relentless string of love affairs, drifting further from himself and losing the very capacity to connect. Across four seismic decades, DAU delivers both an intimate chronicle of one man’s unraveling and a sweeping panorama of a society forged by ideology and force. This is an epic meditation on the pursuit of joy, the true cost of liberty, and the quiet, everyday negotiations that shape an individual’s fate—and echo through the tides of history.

More About This Film

DAU, a project initiated by Ilya Khrzhanovsky in 2019, presents an immersive and controversial cinematic experience set within a closed Soviet research institute. The narrative explores the rigid scientific hierarchy, privileges, and constant surveillance that define daily life for the researchers and their families residing on the compound. Originally conceived as a series of experimental installations and films involving non-professional actors living in reconstructed 1970s Moscow environments, DAU has evolved into a significant cultural phenomenon that blurs the lines between documentary and fiction.

The production is renowned for its extreme method approach, where participants engage with historical personas and scenarios designed to evoke genuine psychological responses. While initial phases focused on interactive installations, subsequent projects have expanded into feature-length formats. The work has sparked intense debate regarding ethical boundaries in art, performance, and the portrayal of authoritarian systems, drawing both acclaim for its ambition and criticism for its methods.

As of current records, there are no official announcements confirming a specific 2026 release date or a new installment titled 'DAU (2026)'. The existing body of work includes various shorts and features released between 2019 and 2023, such as those presented at international film festivals. Any references to a 2026 title appear to be speculative or incorrect based on confirmed industry data.

  • The project involves thousands of hours of footage shot over several years with real scientists and their families living in the institute.
  • Participants often do not know the full extent of what will happen during filming, contributing to the raw authenticity of the performances.
  • DAU has been screened at major festivals including Cannes and Venice, generating significant critical discourse on ethics in cinema.
  • The set design meticulously reconstructs Soviet-era apartments and laboratories to ensure historical accuracy.
  • Ilya Khrzhanovsky serves as the creator and director, overseeing the complex logistical and artistic vision of the project.

Where to Watch

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