Svetlana Smirnova Movies
Russian filmmaker Alexander Sokurov broke boundaries with his dreamlike vision of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russian Ark. It's the first feature-length narrative film shot in a single take (on digital video, using a specially designed disc instead of tape). Russian Ark is shot from the point-of-view of an unseen narrator, as he explores the museum and travels through Russian history. The audience sees through his eyes as he witnesses Peter the Great (Maksim Sergeyev) abusing one of his generals; Catherine the Great (Maria Kuznetsova) desperately searching for a bathroom; and, in the grand finale, the sumptuous Great Royal Ball of 1913. The narrator is eventually joined by a sarcastic and eccentric 19th century French Marquis (Sergey Dreiden), who travels with him throughout the huge grounds, encountering various historical figures and viewing the legendary artworks on display. While the narrator only interacts with the Marquis (he seems to be invisible to all the other inhabitants), the Marquis occasionally interacts with visitors and former residents of the museum. The film was obviously shot in one day, but the cast and crew rehearsed for months to time their movements precisely with the flow of the camera while capturing the complex narrative, with elaborate costumes from different periods, and several trips out to the exterior of the museum. Tilman Büttner, the director of photography, was responsible for capturing it all in one single Steadicam shot. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sergei Dreiden, Maria Kuznetsova, (more)
- 1990
In 18th century Russia, Catherine is now the reigning Empress in a country which does not accept primogeniture (rule by the oldest born) but requires that the oldest born be male. It has taken quite a lot of almost supernatural scheming to remain on the throne which, by an accident of fate, is more or less legitimately hers. When she hears that a Polish princess is claiming to be a descendant of a Russian queen, she is quite naturally concerned for the future of her hold on the throne. The overweight, sexually insatiable monarch sends one of her loyal aides and lovers to seduce the foolish young woman and lure her into Russian territory, where the threat she represents can be eliminated in an efficient way. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nikolai Yeremenko Jr., Svetlana Kryuchkova, (more)
- 1986
The title Letters From a Dead Man sums up the story in this bleak speculative drama. Undoubtedly inspired by the Chernobyl incident, the film takes place in a Soviet village which is devastated by a nuclear meltdown. Professor Rolan Bykov, sitting alone in a bomb shelter, begins composing letters to his son, who disappeared shortly after the accident. Bykov knows that he himself is doomed; he hopes that such is not the case with his son. Letters From a Dead Man was written and directed by Andrei Tarkovsky-protégé Konstantin Lopushansky. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rolan Bykov, Iosif Ryklin, (more)
- 1977
The moral consequences of character are the perennial focus for this film's director Ilia Averbakh, who trained and worked as a physician before becoming a filmmaker. In this psychological drama, Zina (Svetlana Smirnova) is an extremely selfish and manipulative adolescent. She befriends her schoolteacher Vera Ivanova (Irinia Kutpschenko) and shares certain confidences with her, such as reading Vera's love-letters. When she inevitably has a falling-out with Vera, Zina effortlessly and thoughtlessly causes Vera much pain by using the information she has gained to attack her where it hurts. Oblivious to the harm she has caused, Zina travels with her schoolmates to summer camp. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Irina Kupchenko, Svetlana Smirnova, (more)
