Scientific research in the secret Soviet Institute has almost ground to a halt in favor of endless booze-ups, quarrels, and debauchery. This routine cannot be broken by esoteric and spiritual experiments and discussions, nor by the appearance of younger scientists. At a point, a group of Komsomol members arrives at the Institute to take part in an experiment into creating a new person. They are enamored with the forbidden science of eugenics, and profess their belief in its principles. They begin to fight against the lifestyle that has become the norm in the Institute.

DAU. Degeneration is part of Ilya Khrzhanovskiy’s simulation of the totalitarian Soviet system. The project combines film, science, performance, spirituality, social and artistic experimentation, literature and architecture for talk about the totalitarian use of power. The 44th Mostra will also exhibit DAU. Natasha, the first movie of the project.

Presented at Berlin International Film Festival.