Independent Films, Film Profiles

Gorky Park (film)
by Michael_Apted

Gorky Park, the 1983 movie based on the novel Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith, was directed by Michael Apted from the screenplay by Dennis Potter (for which he won a 1984 Edgar Award). The main stars of the film are William Hurt as Arkady Renko, Lee Marvin as Jack Osborne, Joanna Pacula as Irina Asanova, Rikki Fulton as Major Pribluda, Brian Dennehy as William Kirwill, Ian McDiarmid as Professor Andreev and Ian Bannen as Prosecutor Iamskoy. James Horner wrote the score. Ralf Bode was cinematographer. It was filmed in Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden. Joanna Pacula was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. Also featured Ian Dury of the band 'Ian Dury & the Blockheads' as money changerThe film tells the story of Soviet police officer Arkady Renko and his investigation of Jack Osborne, a sadistic American fur smuggler with close ties to the KGB. Three bodies have been found with their faces sliced off in Gorky Park. One is an American, the other two are Russians. Renko is keen to rid himself of the case as he suspects the KGB to be responsible. However, after some reassurances from his superior, he begins to investigate and eventually finds himself at the point of no return when he begins to become emotionally involved with a woman (Irina) and has connections with those found in Gorky Park. Pacula's performance as Irina Asanova in Gorky Park (1983)is ranked #57 on Premiere magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).