Set one evening in present day Moscow, 16 year-old Pyotr is baited by an ultranationalist group known for their violent abductions and attacks bolstered by Russia’s LGBT propaganda law, but Pyotr has a dangerous secret his attackers could never have accounted for. 

Pyotr (Alex Ozerov, Bitten) is a sixteen-year-old gay in Russia, hanging out alone in his room one night, using a hook-up app to look for other guys. Someone texts him, complimenting him on his body. They agree to meet up at the other guy’s house, and Pyotr hops on his motorcycle and heads on over.

He’s greeted by Sergei (Max Rositsan), a large muscular man who at first treats Pyotr tenderly, offering him tea and seductively asking him what he wants to do.  Unfortunately for Pyotr, Sergei is actually part of a group of Russian nationalists who take delight in luring then beating up immigrants and gays. And that’s exactly what happens: Sergei knocks Pyotr out, and then he and his friends videotape him in the bathtub as they cut his hair, pour urine on him, and otherwise abuse him.

But not for long. Pyotr has a secret of his own.

This is a fun short that, although I had suspected what was going to happen about halfway through, still kept my interest and attention throughout. Ozerov is sympathetic and vulnerable as Pyotr, and my heart broke a little as I witnessed what happened to him. Which makes the ending that much more satisfying.

Pyotr495 is Blake Mawson’s directorial debut, and it’s a strong one. Years of acting in such shows as Blade and The Strain have obviously prepared him for this, and he knows exactly what he’s doing. He guides this thing along with a sure hand, and I hope he has many more opportunities to show his directing talents in the future. I will be enthusiastically following his work.

Uncle Mike: sez check it out.

Pyotr495 screened last night as part of the Fantasia Film Festival and is traveling to various festivals around the country.