It is generally recognized that the Russian director Alexander Sokurov, whose filmography includes more than a dozen full-length films, belongs to a small number of the most significant people in Soviet and Russian cinema. His work is sometimes difficult to perceive for unprepared viewers. But that doesn't make it any less interesting.
Facts of the famous master's biography
When analyzing the biographies of prominent people, it is always interesting to observe what paths they followed to world fame. Alexander Sokurov, whose filmography stands apart from the mainstreams of world and Russian cinema, comes from a deep province. The future director was born in June 1951 in the remote Siberian village of Podorvikha in the Irkutsk region in the family of a military man. Due to his father's occupation, he often had to change his place of residence. This circumstance provided the young man with a we alth of new impressions and expanded his understanding of the world around him.
He did not come to the final choice of profession right away. The Moscow State Institute of Cinematography was the second university that Alexander Sokurov graduated from. His filmographybegan with the thesis "The Lonely Voice of Man" based on the works of Andrei Platonov. And before that, the director graduated from the Faculty of History of Gorky University.
Thesis
Not everyone knows what difficulties the future director Sokurov faced during his studies at VGIK. His filmography could have ended with a single film that became a graduation work. Sokurov had to complete his studies ahead of schedule and take exams externally. The reason was the conflict with the leadership of the university and Goskino. The director was accused of formalism and anti-Soviet sentiments, and in those days this put an end to the profession. Only the intervention of such an outstanding master as Andrei Tarkovsky helped to correct the situation. He stood up for the student and his work.
But the thesis was sentenced to destruction. It survived only thanks to the burglary, which, with the help of friends, was committed by Alexander Sokurov. His filmography could have ended there. He took his first creation in a tin box when he left the institute. However, this did not happen, and the story of Sokurov the director was destined to continue.
After VGIK
In the first half of the 1980s, the country had little need for the work of such directors as Sokurov. The filmography of the master of this period consists mainly of documentaries. The director filmed them at the Lenfilm studio, where he was able to get a job only thanks to the patronage of Tarkovsky. He was simply not allowed to shoot feature films. But the fact thatit was possible to remove it despite the prohibitions, it was doomed to be stored on a shelf.
The director had very few chances to break through to the audience. Nevertheless, he refused to leave the country, despite the opportunity. The director did not imagine the continuation of his work outside of Russian reality. And in spite of everything, he continued to work and hope for the best.
Restructuring
Radical changes in the life of the country, which began in the second half of the eighties, were reflected in many facets of Soviet life. Including politics in the field of art and cinema. Much of what was previously impossible has become possible. One of the first to feel this was Alexander Sokurov. The viewer has access to all previously prohibited works of this director. And more importantly, all restrictions for further creativity have disappeared. Soviet arthouse films began to take first place in the competitive programs of prestigious international film festivals.
One of the brightest discoveries of this time for the sophisticated festival audience was the world of images that the Soviet director Alexander Sokurov presented in his work. The filmography of this master was officially recognized as the property of the classics of world cinema. And its author was crowned with the first prizes of several international film festivals.
After perestroika
The nineties are considered to be difficult for Russian cinema. In the context of the most difficult political andthe economic crisis, there was no great opportunity to make films. The screens of the country were filled with not the highest quality Hollywood productions. But these difficulties did not stop Alexander Sokurov, he was able to find the necessary funding for his projects. During this period, the director shoots a lot, compensating for the forced years of creative downtime. Sometimes he has to work on several projects at the same time. He tries his hand at different genres and directions, including acting in his own and other people's films.
And there is every reason to believe that Sokurov, an actor, whose filmography is currently represented by only two works, will show in the future what he is capable of. In his previous life, he was able to prove that he can achieve success when he sets himself goals.
Alexander Sokurov: the filmography of the master at the moment
1. The Lonely Voice of Man (1978-1987).
2. Empire (1986).
3. Mournful Insensibility (1987).
4. Eclipse Days (1988).
5. Circle Two (1990).
6. Silent Pages (1993).
7. Mother and Son (1997).
8. Moloch (1999).
9. Taurus (2000).
10. Russian Ark (2002).
11. Father and Son (2003).
12. The Sun (2004).
13. Alexandra (2007).
14. Faust (2011).
The master's filmography is far from over. Its continuation may be the most unexpected, but, no doubt, interesting. Director Alexander Sokurov knows how to surprisetheir viewers.
