Shoplifters

In a gray, soulless city where everything — from goods to emotions — has a price tag, Eva and Herman, a pair of professional thieves, steal not just objects but also the illusion of freedom. But one night uncovers a shocking truth about Herman, forcing Eva to decide what matters more — her sense of self-worth or her feelings for him.

This is a story about how consumer society turns us into products, and our dreams — into expired goods.

  • Gennady Boyko
    Director
  • Gennady Boyko
    Writer
  • Gennady Boyko
    Producer
  • Armen Vanyan
    Key Cast
    "Herman"
  • Inga Korenskaya
    Key Cast
    "Eva"
  • Egor Ovcharek
    Cinematographers
  • Arseniy Belinskiy
    Cinematographers
  • Kristian Shatov
    Sound Engineers
  • Kristian Shatov
    Film Composers
  • Ksenia Govorkova
    Film Composers
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 20, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    4,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Russian Federation
  • Country of Filming:
    Russian Federation
  • Language:
    Russian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Gennady Boyko

Gennady Boyko is a debut director from Moscow, a Master of Law specializing in the protection of individual rights in international law, and a graduate of the Russian State University for the Humanities. Throughout his academic career, he has published 10 research articles on human rights, social justice, and political science, while also engaging in literary work.

His debut short film, “Shoplifters” (2025), is an intense drama about a young couple, Eva and Herman, who lead a double life as professional thieves in a world where human relationships have been reduced to commodities. The film explores themes of freedom, moral choice, and the struggle for humanity in a society where individuality is losing its value.

One of the key driving forces behind the creation of this film was his academic background in human rights protection and his deep interest in social issues, which is reflected in the depth and relevance of the themes explored in the film.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

To everyone reading this,

My name is Gennady Boyko, and I am a debut director from Moscow. I’d like to share a bit of the story behind the making of my first short film, “Shoplifters.”

At its core, this film is deeply personal. A broken heart, the feeling of being a “product” on a store shelf — easily discarded once expired — emptiness, and hopelessness. All of this led me to an overwhelming need to share my experience with the world through the power of filmmaking. At one point, I was so lost that I hit rock bottom, struggling just to get by. The idea of making my own film became my reason to keep going.

With no directorial experience, a limited budget, and no investors, I managed to bring together a team of over 20 people who agreed to work on this project — not for money, but for the idea. For three years, we painstakingly pieced this film together. Every set you see at the beginning and end of the film was built by hand. One of the biggest challenges throughout production was finding locations. We spent months wandering through the city, searching for stores, abandoned buildings, and places that would bring the film’s meaning to life. As we shared our idea, we met people who saw themselves in it and let us film at their locations for free, despite the potential losses. Each of us, at some point, has felt like a “product.”

At first glance, the plot may seem painfully simple: two young people, Eva and Herman, lead a double life as shoplifters until one night threatens not only their relationship but also the very reality they live in. But “Shoplifters” is more than just a crime drama. It is a metaphor—a story about a world where people become commodities, and emotions turn into transactions on a receipt. A system that quietly consumes us, making us consumers — not just of things, but of each other.

Every aspiring director believes their story matters, but I’m not asking you to see this film as perfect cinema. I’m asking you to see its essence. Because what it speaks about is already aching in the hearts of people all over the world.