Abstract

The article aims to analyse the first part of Kira Muratova’s film The Asthenic Syndrome in the context of the experience of trauma caused by the death of a loved one. The author interprets the self-destructive behaviours of the main character – Natasha, and her affective gestures and reactions to the existing Soviet reality. The strong influence of a traumatised woman has been mentioned, who aims at breaking social and cultural conventions associated with the status of a widow by her environment. This research analyses the relationship between an individual experience of trauma and the influence of a transformation of society during the Perestroika period on the atrophy of empathy and human bonds. The starting point of the interpretation is the director’s biography, her experience, motivations and changing approach to the film medium. The analysis clarifies the reasons behind The Asthenic Syndrome being often perceived by critics as a diagnosis of society in a transitional period and a universal story about human weaknesses and helplessness when facing inevitable changes.