Film delves into life in small town "Pentagon" dormitory, housing low-income residents living in extreme poverty. Shot amid the Russian-Ukrainian war, it portrays their daily struggles, work, politics, and wartime experiences.
The new documentary project by journalist Andrey Loshak tells the story of the residents of a former dormitory owned by the administration of Novouzensk, a small town in the Saratov region, Russia. Locals refer to this building as the "Pentagon" (the authors and heroes of the film do not explain why). People in the "Pentagon" live under a social rent contract. Those who have jobs receive from 5 to 15 thousand rubles per month (50 to 150 USD). Loshak explores the everyday lives of people who were able to obtain housing from the government, but it lacks proper heating and water supply. According to the "Pentagon dwellers," sewage directly drains into the basement. The film was shot during the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war, from October 2022 to February 2023. In four episodes, Loshak tells the story of the residents of the house. The film's heroes go to work, discuss politics, quarrel with neighbors, watch Putin's addresses on television, go to war, and return from it.—ks1v