A hundred years after the first film, Russian cinema in Venice

2008-08-29 08:23:49

Russian cinema is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The first Russian film, Stenka Razin by Aleksandr Drankov, dates back to 1908. A hundred years later, two Russian films will be presented at Venice Film Festival.

Cinema was born later in Russia than in other European countries. In 1908 Aleksandr O. Drankov, a photographer and a journalist, produced the first Russian narrative film, “Ponizovaya vol’niza” (Stenka Razin), based on events told in a popular folk song.

Next week two Russian movies will be shown in Venice. The first one is “Bumanznyj Soldat” (Paper Soldier) by Alexey German Jr. It tells the story of a medical officer working for the first soviet cosmonauts’ troop. The second one is “Dikoe Pole” (Wild Field) by Mikhail Kalatozishvili. It is about a young doctor who lives and practices medicine in the middle of the steppe.