The Contest
A look at how prisoners in a Siberian labour camp for women prepare for a beauty contest.
Filmmakers: Zygmunt Dzieciolowski and Maria Yatskova
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An extraordinary film about a beauty contest between prisoners in a Siberian labour camp for women in the city of Novosibirsk.
The girls who took part in the contest are hardened criminals, but they believe that even in the stark prison conditions women should remain women.
The film takes us through the women’s preparations for the contest, from creating and modelling their hand-made dresses and flower arrangements to applying their make-up under strict supervision.
During the preparations, they explain why they are in prison and their hopes and aspirations for the future. Finally we see the women parade for the judges – the prison guards.
Published On 30 Nov 2009