Boris Arakelov Movies
Director Madeshda Koschewerowa whose first film was released in 1929 and who is best known for a 1947 production of Cinderella, is still in fine form in this mid-'80s version of a story by Charles Perrault. (Another, French version of the same story directed by Jacques Demy was released in 1970.) With great sets and costuming, the tale is about star-crossed lovers, an evil stepmother, and a magical donkey. Princess Theresa is set to marry the young Prince Jacques -- but her stepmother has other plans. Preying on the king's own weakness, the stepmother exacts a promise he feels bound to keep -- but that promise is anathema to the princess. Even though her fairy godmother and the magic donkey come to her aid, it is not enough. So she flees the castle and discards her royal trappings to become a beggar -- yet Prince Jacques still loves her and sets out to marry her, no matter what.
~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vladimir Etush, Svetlana Nemolyaeva, (more)
A young and carefree Cossack competing with a neighborhood rival for the love of a beautiful girl is forced to grow up faster than expected when World War I breaks out in this romantic Russian war drama from director Viktor Tregubovich. Roman is a reckless adolescent living in the Baikal region in the waning days of the October Revolution. Thus far, Roman's biggest concern in life was whether he or his neighbor would win the love of ethereal village beauty Dashutka. When news of the war breaks out and Roman is forced to choose a side on which to fight, he soon finds out just how big of a place the world truly is. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arkadiy Trusov, Petr Shelokhonov, (more)
- 1965
A group of former soldiers try to rebuild their homes and their lives in the wake of World War II in this drama produced in the Soviet Union. Leonid (Oleg Borisov) comes back to his family a decorated veteran, but his medals came with a price; Leonid has lost his sight, and the depression over his blindness has led him into alcoholism. Along with his friend Grisha (Viktor Avdyushko), Leonid and other soldiers help to create a new city for displaced veterans such as themselves, but the difficult circumstances and Leonid's drinking eventually drive away his wife, leaving their son behind to watch over his father. While Leonid's life wastes away, Grisha gets a job at a nearby factory, and in time builds a happy and stable existence for himself, his wife, and their children. Things are going well for Grisha and his co-workers until the factory head is taken away by authorities, leaving the future of its workers in the balance. Rabochiy Posyelok received one of its few screenings outside the Soviet Union as part of the Soviet Cinema retrospective at the 2000Locarno Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oleg Borisov, Lyudmila Gurchenko, (more)
- 1963
Alexandre (Alexei Batalov) is a young doctor who meets Shoura (Tamara Semina) on a trolly car. The two begin to talk and harmlessly flirt with each other. Shoura's husband (Valentin Zoubkov) is a geologist who decides to stay home with her instead of traveling to his next project. When the husband loses his job, Shoura decides to move to the country and follow in her father's footsteps as a teacher. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tamara Semina, Alexei Batalov, (more)
