The Law of the Wolf

Running time: 53 minutes
Year: 2008
Producers: Sergey Beshev & Lola Stankova

Filmed in Russia over more than 4 years, this is the true story of four wolf cubs from birth to adulthood. We see how, after losing their mother and father, Alf, his brother Mouse and sisters Alpina and Mask develop their characters and skills, following their instincts to learn how to hunt and survive. We witness how the cubs fight for survival every hour of every day.

As they grow they must learn the main law of wolves, finding and fighting for their territory. Since losing their mother, their only guardian in this confusing world, the pups have had to learn to survive alone, and suddenly the world seems frightening and full of danger. Intuition tells them the forest hides many traps which could prove fatal, even to predators like them. To survive, the pups must become a solid family, a real wolf pack. They must follow the laws of the pack and obey the leader - only complete obedience allows a pack to survive.

By the end of autumn, the wolves have grown so large that they look almost like adults and have gained strength and confidence. Their leader, Alf, has changed much over the past months, he does not tolerate insubordination now. With the arrival of winter the world they have studied all their short lives and know so well has suddenly changed. Snow has covered everything and the hard times have started for the pups.

The arrival of other wolves into their territory can mean only one thing – war. As night falls, the invaders begin their attack. In the brutal struggle Mask dies, while Alf and Mouse flee. After a night of terror, Alpina looks for her brothers, but they do not return. Alpina stays and, a year after the pack was broken up, she gives birth to a litter. Again, a pack of wolves invades the territory, demanding Alpina leave her home turf. She faces a tough choice – leave and save herself or stay and fight an unequal battle. She chooses to stay and is killed. The attackers leave without touching the wolf pups.