In “Nelyubov” (“Loveless” in the original Russian) a twelve year-old boy recedes slowly into oblivion as his parents go through a separation, more or less forgetting about his existence. His mother meets a successful company executive and his father’s new girlfriend is already well into her pregnancy, the two preparing to start a new family. After their child disappears, the future divorcés call the police, triggering an inquiry into his disappearance, “Loveless” turning into a police procedural punctuated with telephone calls and people meeting each other and establishing a strategy for the search.

Fifty three year-old Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev (he was born in Novosibirsk, same place where actress Svetlana Efremova, of “The Island,” comes from) returns to Cannes three years after his “Leviathan,” a film that was well-received by the press. But whereas “Leviathan,” was heavy with political intrigue “Loveless” hacks away at the very fiber that keeps a family together.

“Loveless” helps solidify Andrey Zvyagintsev’s place as one of Russia’s major filmmakers.

“Loveless” is competing for the Palme D’Or.

Screen Comment is based in Cannes during May 17-27 2017. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.