Focus on Russia
Russia is still dangerous, Russia is still loveable
Date: May 15th, 2009, 9 p.m.
Location: Schikaneder [Info]
repeat: May 18th, 2009, 5 p.m. at Top Kino
Tickets: 7 EUR (regular), 6 EUR (students)
The title of this programme is taken from an installation by Russian video artist Gia Rigvava, which can be seen parallel to the screening in the display of the Schikaneder (see here). The seven, partly prize-winning short films shown in this programme all afford an inside view of social and political activity and situations in Russia; and an approximation to a country that is, even nineteen years after the end of the Cold War, usually present in western media in military or human rights related topics. The individual films’ approaches are very diverse, in the end though, the impression one gets is rather unambiguous: Russia is still dangerous, Russia is still loveable.
In cooperation with Galerie Knoll.
Total length: 102 min
Erstaunlich welche Stille. Himmlischer Leisegang 3.
Russia 1994, 6 min
director: Sergey Shutov
Staccato found-footage combined with geometric shapes in strong colours: there is nothing quiet about this video that makes for an energetic start of the programme.
Despair
Russia 2008, 30 min
directors: Provmyza (Galina Myznikova, Sergey Provorov) | cast: A. Kuritsyn, A. Nosov
Can man disappear into nature, assimilating perfectly? Provmyza test this theory in a bleak snowy landscape and find amazingly detached, even haunting images. Rotterdam winner 2009.
Portrait
Russia 2007, 2 min
director, cast: Vladlena Gromova
With plenty of humour, Vladlena Gromova reflects on the (also artistic) identity and the “genre” of the self portrait.
9 Chasov Bez Sna (9 Hours without Sleep)
Russia 2008, 23 min
director: Nastia Palchikova
A shared night in Moscow, where everyone somehow still keeps to themselves. And maybe it is better that way, in the long run?
Twilight
Russia 2005, 5 min
director: Vladimir Logutov
An intersection at twilight: at first glance, and also at second glance a totally normal scene. Only on closer observation do you notice unpleasantness...
Kak stat stervoi (Vixen Academy)
Russia 2008, 29 min
director: Alina Rudnitskaya
To seduce a man – best of all a millionaire – in such a way that enables you to lead an agreeable, financially secure life is the goal of the Russian ladies who attend the “Vixen Academy”. To achieve this they are willing to do anything. VIS main prize winner 2008.
Happy End
Russia 2001, 7 min
director: Ludmila Gorlova
A wedding ritual in Moscow: the director has documented this "assembly line of happiness" and deems it significant for Russia’s changing society.