From events to documentary film: Nadi Oleynikova produces “Splitting of the Mind”
FORMULA X co-founder and executive producer Nadi Oleynikova has taken part in the making of “Splitting of the Mind”, a documentary about love, memory and a family tragedy that unfolded against the backdrop of a loved one’s mental illness.
For Nadi, who has more than 15 years of experience in the creative industries, this is her first documentary production.
A story that needs to be told
The idea began when director Ekaterina Mantulenko proposed joining forces to apply for a grant and make a documentary on a difficult social issue.
“Splitting of the Mind” explores how one person’s mental illness can change the fate of an entire family.
Where does the person end and the illness begin? How can love survive an irreparable loss? Is forgiveness possible when life will never be the same again?
The filmmakers offer no easy answers. Their aim is to let viewers see the tragedy through the eyes of those closest to it and reflect on subjects that society often leaves unspoken.
A new production experience
The film marked a new professional chapter for Nadi Oleynikova.
The project involved preparing a grant application, working with public institutions, organising filming, finding locations, managing production processes and handling documentation.
It was an opportunity to apply her creative production expertise in a new field: documentary cinema.
“This is my first experience producing a documentary. Despite many years in the creative industries, filmmaking brought entirely new professional challenges, from grant paperwork to organising the shoot. But the most important thing is the story itself. It stirred very strong emotions and reminded me once again why I do this work. I don’t just produce projects. I choose stories that can change something in people”.
When a project has a purpose
FORMULA X’s philosophy centres on projects in which content, creativity and production work towards a specific result.
Documentary film offers another way to put that approach into practice.
Here, the result is measured not only by production quality or audience attention, but also by the questions viewers take away, the feelings a story evokes and its ability to change how we see the people around us.
A powerful project is more than what someone sees. It is what stays with them afterwards.
Documentary film
About the project
“Splitting of the Mind” is currently in editing and post-production.
Filming took place in the Volgograd Region.
Creative team
- Director
- Ekaterina Mantulenko
- Director of photography
- Oleg Friga
- Producers
- Nadi Oleynikova and Yan Latypov
The film is being made with the support of the Regional Cinema Support Fund of the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation.