“The Wild Field” by director Mikhail Kalatozishvili is one of only two Russian films taking part in the 65th Venice International Film Festival. It hasn’t been entered in the main competition, but has been shortlisted for the prestigious Europ

The movie is about a young doctor who has settled “in the middle of nowhere” in the Kazakh steppes. Doctor Mitya keeps the community going, offering everyone a shoulder to lean on and performing astonishing acts of kindness.

The film, rich in breath-taking scenery and scant of dialogue, has a universal appeal. “It’s about sacrifice,” says Oleg Dolin, who played the leading role. “It’s about a person who is doing what he feels he should without looking for any rewards. He’s always ready to help. These are the true principles of Christianity.”

The Georgian-born director says he was trying to make a film about a happy person whose kindness knows no limits, admitting, though there’s a shortage of such people in the world.