Fidelity

“Fidelity” (Верность, Vernost) is a 2019 erotic drama film from Russia directed by Nigina Sayfullaeva. The film examines intricacies of the betrayal within marriage, trust, and self exploration, depicting a woman’s battle with her suspicions and deepest desires.

Synopsis

The story revolves around Lena, played by Evgeniya Gromova, an obstetrician-gynecologist in her early thirties. Lena is a highly respected professional. Her life seems to be in order since she is married to Sergey who is a an actor in a provincial theater. For all intents and purposes, the two seem to be happy, but, as their marriage progresses, they grow more and more apart. This leads Lena to believe that Sergey is unfaithful to her. Instead of confronting him, Lena starts cheating on him with random strangers. What begins as a quest for vengeance spirals into a passionate and secret affair that may ruin her life.

Main Cast

Evgeniya Gromova as Lena; A medical worker who takes a “calling” too seriously and finds herself seeking validation in unexpected places.

Aleksandr Pal as Sergey; Lena’s husband who, by his wife’s admission, becomes the unwitting passive victim of the events which unfold in their lives.

Marina Vasileva as Katya; A woman who is Sergey’s workmate, she adds substance to Lena’s growing suspicions.

Alexey Agranovich as Ivan; A mere acquaintance who Lena meets at “random” places and who gets unwittingly pulled into Lena’s ventures outside marriage.

Themes and Style

“Fidelity” depicts, without any protective layers, the breach of trust, betrayal, and distorted personal reality, in their relentless pursuit of self-fulfilling and other passions.

The film’s explicit scenes capture the protagonist’s struggle and examine human relationships. Director Nigina Sayfullaeva uses an open and personal form of storytelling which guides viewers to confront social boundaries and limits within oneself. ​

Reception and Controversy

“Fidelity,” upon release, received mixed reviews. Some praised the film’s bold storyline and Gromova’s performance while others were outraged at the explicit content and labeled the film anti-feminist. At the Kinotavr Film Festival, the film got awarded for a special jury diploma for the actors’ fidelity to the director. Also, Gromova received the Best Actress award at the Transilvania International Film Festival for her portrayal of Lena. ​

Viewing Information

Those looking to view the bold film will find “Fidelity” streaming on Tubi TV; however, access depends on region. ​

Overall, “Fidelity” is a uniquely bold work that embraces the contradictions of love, desire, and the choices we are forced to make.