Lyubov Malinovskaya Movies
This fanciful film from director Pavel Kadochnikov, adapted from the play The Snow Queen by Russian writer A.N. Ostrovsky (which also became an opera by Rimsky-Korsakov), weaves the classic tale of The Snow Maiden (Yevghenia Filonova), who asks permission of her parents -- Father Frost and Spring -- to live among the mortals so she may experience the joys of love. They grant her request, and she goes to live with the villagers. She then falls for Lel. Vladislav Kladnitsky wrote the score for this motion picture. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Yevgenya Filonova, Yevgeny Zharikov, (more)
- 1966
Katerina Izmailova is a filmization of Dmitry Shostakovich's long-suppressed 1936 opera. Galina Vishnevskaya stars as Katerina, a bored 19th century farm wife. At the behest of her grungy lover, Katerina murders her husband and her father-in-law. She and her new beau are both sent to Siberia, where the lover almost immediately takes up with a younger woman. Banned by Stalin for its bleak portrait of Soviet life, Katerina Izmailova was not given a Russian staging for over 40 years; its Metropolitan Opera debut did not occur until 1994. Dmitri Shostakovich also wrote the screenplay for the screen version of Katerina Izmailova. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Galina Vishnevskaya, Artem Inozemtsev, (more)
- 1962
A boy from Leningrad has his world turned upside down by his parent's separation and World War II. He leaves town amidst the fighting and returns to find a friend in his step-brother. The war is seen through the eyes of children and told in flashback form. The film was a special prize winner at the Venice Film Festival. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Boris Tokarev, Nina Urgant, (more)
