Empire V (film)

Empire V (Ампир V) is a 2023 Russian urban fantasy film directed by Victor Ginzburg, based on the novel of the same name by Victor Pelevin, and starring Pavel Tabakov as Rama II, a vampire apprentice, begins training to become a full-fledged vampire.

Plot
Set in contemporary Moscow, Empire V is both fantasy vampire love story and sardonic satire of Russia's power elite, a vivid mirror image of a world ruled by beauty, blood and money.

Cast

 * Pavel Tabakov (actor) as Roman "Roma" Shtorkin, changes his name to Rama II
 * Taisiya "Taya" Radchenko as Hera VIII
 * Miron Fyodorov as Mithra VI, Hera VIII's curator
 * Vladimir Dolinsky as Enlil
 * Marina Zudina as Rama's mother
 * Vera Alentova as Ishtar, goddess
 * Viktor Verzhbitsky as Vaal
 * Bronislav Vinogrodsky as Loki IX, teacher of martial arts and lovemaking
 * Igor Jijikine as Baldr, glamor teacher
 * Igor Gordin as Grigory, professor of theology
 * Vladimir Epifantsev as Vavilen Tatarsky / Brahma XIV
 * Fyodor Bondarchuk as Koldovashkin, head of discourse, professor

Release
The novel was adapted into a film directed by Victor Ginzburg and starring Pavel Tabakov alongside Miron Fyodorov. It premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival in July 2023. The Russian government refused to release a distribution permit for the film in 2022, effectively banning it in the country.

Reception
Empire V has an approval rating of 83% on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 6 reviews, and an average rating of 6.8/10.