The Flood (1995)
A haunting French-Russian psychological drama starring Isabelle Huppert, set in the shadow-laden streets of 1920s Petrograd.
The Flood - Movie Information
- Original Title: L'inondation
- Release Year: 1995
- Directed by: Ihor Minayev
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Mystery
- Runtime: 1h 39m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 4, 1995 (France)
- Production Companies: Erato Films, Etalon-Film, Ima Films, La Sept Cinéma, Mosfilm, R Films
- Production Countries: France, Russia
The Flood - Plot
This is 1920: Sophia and Trofim Ivanytch have been living on Vassilievski Island, which is part of Petrograd, for thirteen years. In their house, which looks like a ship wreck, the atmosphere is gloomy. Sophia cannot have children and she is aware that, because of that, she is likely to lose her husband. That is why, when their neighbor dies, she asks Trofim to take in Ganka, his orphaned thirteen-year-old daughter. Trofim agrees and their new life begins...
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The Flood - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ihor Minayev
Main Cast
- Isabelle Huppert
- Boris Nevzorov
- Svetlana Kryuchkova
- Mariya Lipkina
- Natalya Yegorova
- Andrei Tolubeyev
- Vladimir Kuznetsov
- Aleksey Zaytsev
- Fyodor Valikov
- Mikhail Pyarn
Writers
- Ihor Minayev
- Evgeny Zamyatin
- Bernard Stora
- Jacques Baynac
Producers
- Daniel Toscan du Plantier
The Flood - FAQs
What is The Flood (1995) about?
The Flood is set in 1920s Petrograd and follows Sophia, a childless woman living with her husband Trofim on Vassilievski Island. Fearing she will lose him, she invites a young orphaned girl, Ganka, into their home — a decision that unleashes jealousy, obsession, and devastating consequences.
Does The Flood have a dark or tragic ending?
The Flood builds toward a deeply unsettling conclusion. As Sophia watches Ganka grow closer to Trofim, her jealousy spirals into something irreversible. The film doesn't shy away from the psychological darkness at its core, delivering an ending that is both shocking and emotionally devastating.
Where can you stream The Flood (1995)?
Streaming availability for The Flood varies by region. You can check the most up-to-date viewing options — including rental, purchase, and streaming platforms — on JustWatch, which tracks availability across all major services in your country.
What is Isabelle Huppert's role in The Flood?
Isabelle Huppert plays Sofia, the emotionally tormented protagonist at the heart of the story. It's a role that draws on her signature ability to portray repressed anguish and quiet menace — a woman whose love curdles into something far more dangerous as the film progresses.
Is The Flood based on a true story or novel?
The Flood is adapted from a novella by Russian writer Yevgeny Zamyatin, published in 1929. Zamyatin, best known for his dystopian novel We, crafted a tense psychological tale of jealousy and violence that director Ihor Minayev transposed to the screen with a Franco-Russian production.
Who directed The Flood and what is their background?
The Flood was directed by Ihor Minayev, a Ukrainian-born filmmaker who worked across French and Russian cinema. The film stands as one of his most internationally recognized works, blending the literary weight of Russian source material with a distinctly European art-house sensibility.
What genre is The Flood (1995)?
The Flood is a Drama and Mystery film. It leans heavily into psychological territory, exploring themes of jealousy, desire, and moral collapse. Fans of slow-burn European art cinema — particularly those drawn to character studies with dark undercurrents — will find it compelling.
How was The Flood received by critics?
The Flood earned praise primarily for Isabelle Huppert's intense central performance and its austere, atmospheric direction. Critics noted its fidelity to Zamyatin's source material and its unflinching psychological depth. It remains a respected entry in European art cinema, though it is not widely seen outside festival circles.
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