System Error
The story of a doctor performing surgeries on children under 5kg, dismissed due to a mistake. Families fight to defend him, leading to his reinstatement, another dismissal, a Moscow courtroom where he must defend his right to save lives.
In the heart of Russia’s medical system, where hope often battles bureaucracy, emerges a story of unparalleled bravery and resilience. Mikhail Kaabak, the nation’s only pediatric kidney transplant surgeon, performs life-saving surgeries on infants weighing less than 5kg—a feat that requires not just skill, but an unwavering commitment to humanity. When an adult kidney becomes the only chance to save a fragile life, Dr. Kaabak steps in as the beacon of hope for families on the brink of despair.
But this tale is not without its trials. A single error, magnified by the rigidity of a system unwilling to bend, leads to Dr. Kaabak’s dismissal. This decision puts countless lives at risk, leaving families of vulnerable children to fight for the only man capable of saving their loved ones. The fight for his reinstatement becomes a battle of wills, one that tests the strength of parental love and the limits of institutional compassion.
As events unfold, Dr. Kaabak finds himself in the hallowed halls of a Moscow courtroom, facing representatives of an outdated and unyielding system. Here, he must defend not just his right to practice medicine, but the right of every child to have a chance at life. The courtroom becomes a battleground where the fates of countless children hang in the balance, and where justice, empathy, and determination clash against bureaucracy and indifference.
This powerful documentary sheds light on the fragility of life, the strength of human connection, and the courage it takes to stand against the odds. It’s not just a story of a doctor—it’s a story of a fight for humanity itself. This film invites audiences to question the systems we trust and to reflect on the true cost of saving lives.
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Claudia BershadskayaDirector
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Claudia BershadskayaWriter
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Mikhail Mikhailovich KaabakKey Cast"Doctor"
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Vladimir BershadskiiGeneral Producer
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Julia ShatilovaExecutive Producer
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Konstantin KarpushovCinematographer
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Maxim PotapovOperators
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Julia MatrosovaOperators
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Nadezda NaumovaOperators
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Roman OstromukhovOperators
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Claudia BershadskayaEditors
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Kristina AlexandrovaEditors
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Project Title (Original Language):Cбой в системе
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Project Type:Documentary
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Genres:Drama, Crime, Political, Russian, Medical, Human-life
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Runtime:52 minutes
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Completion Date:March 14, 2024
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Country of Origin:Russian Federation
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Country of Filming:Russian Federation
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Language:Russian
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Shooting Format:Digital Full HD
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Cinema Verite, Tehran International Documentary Film FestivalTehran
Iran, Islamic Republic of
December 11, 2024
Official Selection -
White Bird Film FestivalKazan
Russian Federation
April 16, 2024
World Premiere
Best Documentary / Nominated
Distribution Information
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SouzianDistributorCountry: WorldwideRights: All Rights
Claudia Bershadskaya is a Russian film director and graduate of the prestigious All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK), one of the top ten film schools globally. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to telling deeply human stories, often exploring individuals in extraordinary or challenging circumstances.
Before pursuing filmmaking, Claudia worked as a flight attendant, an experience that shaped her perspective and inspired her creative approach. In 2021, she founded her own film studio, Human Pictures, in Russia. Since then, she has directed films addressing critical social and humanitarian issues, earning widespread recognition at both national and international levels.
Claudia’s work often takes her and her team to extreme and diverse locations, including Africa, Cape Horn in Argentina, and the Philippines, reflecting her dedication to capturing the resilience and complexity of the human spirit.
Films
• Fly (Student Film, 2016)
Synopsis: A documentary exploring aviation disasters, featuring the story of Tatyana Egorova, a plane crash survivor.
Recognition: Screened at Flahertiana (Russia), Listopad (Belarus), and Overcome (Brazil).
Awards: Best Director, Best Documentary.
• Mission (Graduation Film, 2018)
Synopsis: Shot in Kenya, this documentary reflects Claudia’s early exploration of human endurance in challenging environments.
• System Error (2023)
Synopsis: A powerful exploration of pediatric organ transplantation, highlighting Russian surgeon Mikhail Kaabak’s groundbreaking techniques and personal struggles with the healthcare system.
Premieres:
• Domestic: 2024 White Bird Film Festival, Kazan (Winner: Best Documentary Director).
• International: Cinema Verite Film Festival, Iran.
Awards
Best Director – White Bird Film Festival, Kazan, 2024 (System Error).
Best Documentary (Nominated) – White Bird Film Festival, Kazan, 2024 (System Error).
Best Documentary – Listopad Film Festival, Belarus, 2018 (Fly).
Best Student Direction – Won Together, Russia, 2017 (Fly).
• Multiple Official Selections – Flahertiana (Russia), Overcome (Brazil), and others (Fly).
Death is the main enemy, before whom everyone is equal. M. M. Kaabak.
Mikhail Mikhailovich Kaabak is the only pediatric transplant doctor in Russia who performs kidney transplants for small children.
Mikhail Mikhailovich’s dismissal from the National Medical Research Center for Children’s Health jeopardizes both operated young patients and those who are on the waiting list.
The struggle of parents for the doctor leads Mikhail Mikhailovich to the Moscow courtroom, where he will have to defend his right to save children’s lives in front of representatives of the mothballed system.