The Whaler Boy

15-year-old Leshka lives in an isolated village on the Bering Strait. Like most men where he lives, he is a whale hunter. When internet arrives in the village, Leshka becomes infatuated with a webcam model from America – so far away and yet almost close enough to see across the waters of the Strait. Coming of age in the male-dominated whaling community, Leshka’s encounter with this mysterious woman awakens in him a desire to find love outside of the confines of his tiny world. He becomes determined to meet her in real life, setting forth on a dangerous adventure across the raging waters of the sea. Featuring stunning photography of the dramatic landscape, and punctuated by off-kilter humor, “there’s an almost fable-like simplicity to this atmospheric coming of age story” (Screen Daily) about the division between two worlds. 2020. Russia (English subtitles). 93 minutes. Not rated.