The film DAU chronicles the life of the brilliant Greek-born physicist Lev Landau through four turbulent decades in the USSR. Inspired by the scientists behind the Soviet atomic bomb, the narrative sees the idealistic Landau drawn into state service to develop one of history's most lethal weapons, all while pursuing his quest to uncover the universe's fundamental laws.

Set within a clandestine research institute, Landau's existence becomes intertwined with scientific ambition, power dynamics, constant surveillance, and the privileges afforded to his position. As his personal autonomy steadily erodes, Landau seeks solace and freedom outside his marriage through a series of affairs, a journey that gradually leads to a loss of self and his capacity for love. The film meticulously explores the subtle compromises that ultimately shape a life and, by extension, influence the course of history.

Clocking in at a substantial 165 minutes, DAU is the culmination of dissident director Ilya Khrzhanovsky's two-decade-long dedication to the project. Its selection for the Venice Film Festival was met with significant criticism from activists and Ukrainian officials. This backlash prompted festival director Alberto Barbera to issue a lengthy defense on Instagram, stating, "DAU is not a Russian film; it is not pro-Putin propaganda; it is a film of denunciation of totalitarian regimes and their intrusion into the lives of citizens to limit their freedom."

Khrzhanovsky himself offered insight into his vision, explaining in a director's statement, "For more than twenty years, I have been aiming at creating a space in which audiences can live an experience rather than observing it from the outside. DAU is the product of it. The starting point was my interest in the human being – in our ability to love, to create and to be free, to make moral choices and to experience happiness in a world where a totalitarian system gradually changes human nature itself." The exclusive teaser provides a glimpse into this immersive cinematic experience.