Story
In 1919, a small Ukrainian village near the Black Sea becomes the setting for a friendship tested by a world shaped by war, revolution, hatred, and revenge. Anton and Jakob grow up among German farming families whose community has been unsettled by the violence surrounding them. Anton is Catholic and Jakob is Jewish, yet their different religious backgrounds hold little power over the bond they form as children. Drawn together by curiosity, shared dreams, and a fascination with the clouds above them, the boys create an imaginative refuge from the fear around their homes. Their trust gives them courage as prejudice and conflict begin to intrude on the fragile security of village life.
The story follows the boys as they search for comfort in one another while the adult world grows increasingly divided. Their friendship offers a quiet counterpoint to the suspicion and brutality of the period, revealing how loyalty can endure when communities are pushed toward hostility. The film keeps its focus on the emotional lives of its young protagonists, allowing their shared imagination and belief in each other to carry the central drama.
Overview
Anton is a historical drama set in Ukraine in the aftermath of the First World War and the Russian Revolution. Against the backdrop of a rural settlement near the Black Sea, the film explores childhood, religious difference, fear, and the lasting human need for companionship. Its atmosphere combines the intimacy of village life with the growing pressure of a society marked by violence and division.
Directed by Zaza Urushadze, the film approaches its historical setting through the perspective of two boys. The surrounding conflict remains a powerful presence, while the relationship between Anton and Jakob provides the story with warmth and emotional focus. Their private world, shaped by cloud-watching and visions of heaven, gives the narrative a gentle imaginative quality alongside its serious historical themes.
Cast and Characters
Natalia Ryumina, Juozas Budraitis, Regimantas Adomaitis, and Sergey Denga lead the credited cast. At the heart of the story are Anton and Jakob, two boys whose friendship crosses the religious boundaries that separate their families and neighbors. Their connection brings tenderness and resilience to a community surrounded by suspicion, fear, and revenge.
The adult figures around them reflect the pressures of the time, while the boys preserve a sense of trust that the wider world is steadily losing. The cast supports a character-driven historical story in which personal loyalty and childhood imagination remain central to the unfolding drama.
Trailer
