Victor Kossakovsky Advocates for Cinematic Release of ‘Trillion’

Filmmaker Victor Kossakovsky is advocating for his latest documentary, titled ‘Trillion’, to be exclusively shown in cinemas. The film, part of Kossakovsky’s “empathy trilogy,” follows a solitary woman as she walks barefoot across the craggy rocks of Norway, casting tiny shard-like objects into the sea. This unique visual experience is captured in black and white and is devoid of narration or a traditional storyline.

The project marks a continuation from his previous work, which explored the intimate life of a pig, released in 2020. Kossakovsky emphasizes the importance of experiencing documentaries as a form of art, rather than merely journalism. “We made this effort to create a unique shooting and sound experience to ensure it will be on the big screen,” he stated. He firmly believes that the documentary genre should be respected as a cinematic art form, which he argues will only thrive when visual elements are prioritized over narrative content.

The film was produced by Anita Rehoff Larsen and Tone Grøttjord-Glenne at Sant & Usant, alongside Joslyn Barnes from Louverture Films, and received support from the Norwegian Film Institute. Despite its compelling artistic vision, Kossakovsky has made it clear that he will not license ‘Trillion’ to broadcasters or streaming platforms. “No, I will fight for the big screen,” he reaffirms, underscoring his commitment to theatrical presentations.

The film’s enigmatic subject, a woman from Hamburg who features throughout the documentary, remains unidentified. Her face is never shown, adding to the film’s mystique. While she has attended screenings in Amsterdam, she has chosen to remain incognito. The film has yet to appoint a European sales agent, though it has garnered attention from notable figures in the industry.

Prominent actor Joaquin Phoenix, a supporter of Kossakovsky’s vision, has joined the project as an executive producer. He previously collaborated with Kossakovsky on the 2024 feature film titled ‘Family’.

Looking ahead, Kossakovsky is currently filming his next project in the picturesque Dolomites of Italy. This upcoming film, backed by Rome-based Be Water and RAI Cinema, aims to address the ecological crisis caused by a tiny insect known as the ‘bosticle’. This pest has devastated millions of Christmas trees in Northern Italy, a region famous for its fir trees, which are essential for crafting musical instruments.

Kossakovsky explains the issue: “In this part of Italy, for hundreds of years, they have made a monoculture of just firs. All cellos and pianos come from there.” The devastation began after severe storms uprooted many trees seven years ago, creating a breeding ground for the bosticles, which multiplied rapidly and began attacking healthy trees.

In his commitment to showcasing the beauty of nature and the impacts of human actions through film, Kossakovsky continues to challenge the boundaries of documentary filmmaking. With ‘Trillion’, he seeks not only to entertain but to provoke thought about the relationship between humanity and the environment.