Alexander Sokurov: Filmography and Creativity

It is generally accepted that the Russian director AlexanderSokurov, whose filmography includes more than a half dozen full-length paintings, belongs to a small number of the most significant people in Soviet and Russian cinema. His work is sometimes difficult to perceive unprepared viewers. But it does not become less interesting.

The facts of the biography of the famous master

Analyzing the biographies of prominent people, alwaysIt is interesting to observe in what ways they went to worldwide fame. Alexander Sokurov, whose filmography stands apart from the mainstream of world and Russian cinema, comes from a deep province. The future director was born in June 1951 in the remote Siberian village Podorviha in the Irkutsk region in the family of a soldier. By the nature of his father, he often had to relocate. This circumstance provided the young man with a wealth of new impressions and expanded his understanding of the world around him.

He came to the final choice of professionfar from immediately. Moscow State Institute of Cinematography was the second institution of higher education, graduated from Alexander Sokurov. His filmography began with the thesis "The Lonely Voice of a Man" based on the works of Andrey Platonov. And before that, the director graduated from the Faculty of History at Gorky University.

Thesis

Не всем известно о том, с какими трудностями The future director Sokurov encountered while studying at VGIK. His filmography could end with a single film, which became a thesis work. Sokurov had to complete his studies ahead of time and pass exams as an external student. The reason was the conflict with the leadership of the university and Goskino. The director was accused of formalism and anti-Soviet sentiment, and this in those days put an end to the profession. The situation was helped only by the intervention of such an outstanding master as Andrei Tarkovsky. He stood up for the student and his work.

But the thesis was sentenced todestruction. It was only preserved due to the burglary that Alexander Sokurov committed with the help of friends. His filmography could end there. He took his first creation in a tin box, leaving the institute. However, this did not happen, and the story of Sokurov, the director, was destined to be continued.

After VGIK

In the first half of the eighties, the country is smallneeded the work of such directors as Sokurov. The filmography of the master of this period consists mainly of documentary tapes. The director shot them at the studio Lenfilm, where he could work only thanks to the protection of Tarkovsky. He was simply not allowed to make a feature film. And the fact that it was possible to remove, despite the prohibitions, was doomed to be stored on the shelf.

Chance to get to the viewer from the director was veryfew. Nevertheless, he refused to leave the country, despite the opportunity. The director did not represent the continuation of his work outside of Russian reality. And despite everything, he continued to work and hope for the best.

Restructuring

Radical changes in the life of the country, which beganin the second half of the eighties, reflected on many facets of Soviet life. Including on politics in the field of art and cinema. It became possible to much of what was previously impossible. One of the first to feel this was Alexander Sokurov. The viewer became available to all previously prohibited work of this director. And more importantly - all restrictions for further creativity disappeared. Soviet art-house films began to occupy the first lines in the competitive programs of prestigious international film festivals.

Одним из самых ярких открытий этого времени для the sophisticated festival viewer was the world of images, which was presented in his work by the Soviet director Alexander Sokurov. The filmography of this master was officially recognized by the classics of world cinema. And its author is crowned with the first prizes of several international cinema festivals.

After adjustment

Nineties are considered difficult forRussian cinema. Under the conditions of the hardest political and economic crisis, making films was not a big opportunity. The country's screens were filled with not the highest quality Hollywood products. But Alexander Sokurov did not stop these difficulties, he was able to find the necessary funding for his projects. During this period, the director takes a lot, compensating forced years of creative idle time. Sometimes he has to work on several projects at the same time. He tries his hand at various genres and directions, including himself acting in his own and other people's films.

And there is every reason to believe that Sokurov is an actor,the film-making of which is currently represented by only two works, will show in the future what he is capable of. With all his previous life, he was able to prove that he can achieve success when he sets tasks for himself.

Alexander Sokurov: the master's filmography at the moment

1. The lonely voice of man (1978-1987).

2. Empire (1986).

3. Sorrowful insensitivity (1987).

4. Days of Eclipse (1988).

5. The second circle (1990).

6. Quiet 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).

Filmography master is far from complete. Its continuation may be the most unexpected, but, no doubt, interesting. Directed by Alexander Sokurov knows how to amaze their viewers.