Petrov's Flu

This intriguing film starts off seeming like a day-in-the-life story of a comic book artist whose family is struggling and whose life has its share of challenges. Petrov is not feeling well: his entire family are suffering from flu during a pandemic (a concept all audience members can surely relate to) and he gets sicker as the day goes on. The film's realistic narrative and verité-style gradually give way to a story that weaves in memory, dream and fantasy in a subtle and compelling way. Much like its titular protagonist, this film has a gritty exterior that gradually reveals a soulful heart. I found it very haunting.