Posted by Join host Olivia Lyle (@olivialyle1) for an exclusive conversation with Ksenia Ishoot, director of Clinical Case (Russia), which had its World Premiere in the Non-Competitive Section of the 7th Annual Independent Shorts Awards at Regal LA Live, Los Angeles. Interview recorded by Kyle Reed (@thekylereed).
Clinical Case — Poison and Psychological Tension
Clinical Case is a psychological short that plays on multiple levels. At its surface, it unfolds as a tense thriller with an unexpected twist involving poisoning. Beneath the suspense, it examines how instability and troubled pasts shape the lives of its characters, reflecting the broader consequences of living in a fractured society. The film stars Darina Barabanshikova, Roman Lelukh, and Natalia Sanko, whose performances bring depth to its unsettling atmosphere.
A Deeply Personal Film
For Ishoot, Clinical Case is more than fiction. “It is about Russia, about Russian government propaganda, how it poisoned people and how it poisons the whole country, and how it actually leads to the tragedy of our country,” she explained. The film’s protagonist embodies both the personal and political stakes of living in a collapsing, propaganda-fueled world, bringing to screen experiences that resonate beyond borders.
“It is a deeply personal work, created under extremely difficult conditions,” she said, adding that she was proud to have centered the female experience with a team composed largely of women behind the camera.
From Russia to Los Angeles
Ishoot is a Russian filmmaker who relocated to the United States in 2024, fleeing war and political persecution as an opposition activist. Now based in Los Angeles, she continues to develop socially conscious stories with a strong emotional core. Clinical Case, she noted, may not be her first short, but it is the first she considers “solid,” thanks to the dedication of her cast and crew. “I got lucky with the cast, with the crew… I know that it looks expensive but it’s actually not that expensive, so that is also luck,” she reflected, crediting resourcefulness and collaboration as central to the film’s success.
A Voice in the Annual Showcase
Although screened outside of competition, the World Premiere of Clinical Case brought a striking and personal narrative to the Independent Shorts Awards. By weaving psychological tension with political commentary, Ishoot continues her mission of telling stories that confront trauma, resilience, and truth in times of crisis.
Enjoy the interview below, along with the trailer for Clinical Case, for a brief glimpse into the film.
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