Kirill Serebrennikov's 'Limonov, the Ballad' Offers a Bold Cinematic Take on a Controversial Russian Figure

The film explores the turbulent life of Eduard Limonov, blending Emmanuel Carrère's novel with striking visuals and a punk aesthetic.

Eduard Limonov, a Russian writer, political activist, and provocateur, is the subject of Kirill Serebrennikov's new film, based on Emmanuel Carrère's acclaimed 2011 novel.
The movie captures Limonov's complex life, from his time as a dissident in New York and Paris to his founding of the ultranationalist National-Bolshevik Party in Russia.
Serebrennikov, a Russian filmmaker now living in exile, uses bold visual storytelling and a punk-inspired aesthetic to depict Limonov's chaotic and controversial legacy.
The film highlights Limonov's embodiment of post-Soviet resentment and his prescient connection to the ideological shifts shaping modern Russia.
Ben Whishaw delivers a dynamic performance as Limonov, while Serebrennikov's direction has been praised for its innovative and audacious approach.