Russians are making their mark at the world's oldest film festival. Twenty-one films are contending for top honours at this year's Venice Film Festival. One of them is from up-and-coming Russian director Alexei German Jr.

Alexey German Jr. is the son of a prominent Russian filmmaker and his third feature is vying for the coveted Golden Lion award for the second time.

'Paper Soldier’ is set in 1961 and explores one of the most exciting moments in Russian history – the first human space flight.

However, the main character in German’s drama is not Yury Gagarin but a medical officer who prepares the Soviet cosmonauts for their first-ever space mission.

In ‘Paper Soldier’ space serves as a pretext to focus on the dreams, fears and hopes of people living in another space – that of the Soviet Union.

The director says he wanted to make a film about high expectations and human pain.

“Shooting this film I realised one important thing: there are no golden rules in film except that actors should act well and the film should be well made.”

In ‘Paper Solder’ the launch of one man into space brings sorrow to a number of people, but especially to women who lose their husbands and loved ones.

One of Russia’s most sophisticated actresses Chulpan Khamatova says the image of Russian women in film is authentic.

“I think Russian women are recognised for their wisdom. They forget about themselves, about their ambitions and desires. They sacrifice everything for the sake of love.” She said.

At the end of this week the jury in Venice will decide whose story is the most deserving of the Golden Lion.