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Aleksandr Askoldov: The Commissar Kinosputnik

Jan Mitchell

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Aleksandr Askoldov's The Commissar is a groundbreaking film that explores the complexities of human nature during the Russian Civil War. Released in 1967, the film was immediately banned by the Soviet authorities and only saw the light of day in 1988, after perestroika. The film tells the story of a young Red Army commissar who is sent to a remote village to investigate the murder of a local peasant. As he investigates, he begins to question his own beliefs and the nature of the revolution.

Aleksandr Askoldov: The Commissar (KinoSputnik 1)

Aleksandr Askoldov: The Commissar (KinoSputnik Book 1)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The Commissar is a visually stunning film, with a haunting black-and-white cinematography and evocative sound design. Askoldov's use of long takes and close-ups creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, drawing the viewer into the characters' world. The film's performances are also superb, with Natalya Arinbasarova giving a particularly memorable turn as the young commissar.

The Commissar is a complex and challenging film, but it is also a deeply rewarding one. Askoldov's unflinching look at the human condition during wartime is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The film is a testament to the power of art to illuminate the darkness and to challenge our assumptions about the world.

The Historical Context

The Russian Civil War (1918-1921) was a brutal conflict that pitted the Bolsheviks against a loose coalition of anti-communist forces. The war was fought on a vast scale, and its human cost was immense. An estimated 7 million people died during the conflict, and millions more were displaced from their homes.

The Red Army, led by Leon Trotsky, was the main force fighting for the Bolsheviks. The Red Army was a disciplined and well-organized force, but it was also capable of great brutality. The White Army, on the other hand, was a collection of disparate forces that lacked a clear leader or ideology. The White Army was often outmatched by the Red Army, and it was eventually defeated in 1921.

The Commissar is set in the early years of the Russian Civil War. At this time, the Red Army was still struggling to establish its control over the vast Russian countryside. The film shows the Red Army's brutality and its ideological zeal, but it also shows the human cost of war.

The Film

The Commissar tells the story of a young Red Army commissar named Klavdia Vavilova (Natalya Arinbasarova). Klavdia is sent to a remote village to investigate the murder of a local peasant. As she investigates, she begins to question her own beliefs and the nature of the revolution.

Klavdia is a complex and contradictory character. She is a true believer in the revolution, but she is also capable of great compassion. She is horrified by the brutality of the Red Army, but she also understands the need for violence in wartime.

As Klavdia investigates the murder, she begins to realize that the truth is not always black and white. She comes to see that the peasants are not simply victims of the Red Army, but that they are also capable of great cruelty. She also begins to question the motives of her fellow commissars, and she comes to believe that they are more interested in power than in the revolution.

The Commissar is a powerful and moving film that explores the complexities of human nature during wartime. Askoldov's unflinching look at the human condition is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The film is a testament to the power of art to illuminate the darkness and to challenge our assumptions about the world.

The Legacy

The Commissar was immediately banned by the Soviet authorities when it was released in 1967. The film was considered to be too critical of the Red Army and the revolution. It was not until 1988, after perestroika, that the film was finally released in the Soviet Union.

Since its release, The Commissar has been praised by critics and audiences alike. The film has won numerous awards, including the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. It has also been included in several lists of the greatest films ever made.

The Commissar is a powerful and moving film that continues to resonate with audiences today. The film's exploration of the complexities of human nature during wartime is timeless, and its message of hope and redemption is one that we all need to hear.

Aleksandr Askoldov

Aleksandr Askoldov was born in Moscow in 1932. He studied film at the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography, and he graduated in 1956. Askoldov's first film, The Commissar, was released in 1967. The film was immediately banned by the Soviet authorities, and it was not until 1988 that it was finally released in the Soviet Union.

Askoldov's second film, The Train Driver, was released in 1989. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it won the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. Askoldov's third film, The House of Fools, was released in 1990. The film was also a critical and commercial success, and it won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

Askoldov is a major figure in Soviet and Russian cinema. His films are known for their unflinching look at the human condition. Askoldov is also a gifted visual stylist, and his films are often visually stunning. Askoldov is a complex and challenging filmmaker, but he is also a deeply rewarding one. His films are essential viewing for anyone interested in Soviet and Russian cinema.

Aleksandr Askoldov's The Commissar is a groundbreaking film that explores the complexities of human nature during the Russian Civil War. The film is a powerful and moving experience that will stay with you long after you have seen it. The Commissar is a must-see for anyone interested in Soviet and Russian cinema, and it is also a valuable addition to any film collection.

Aleksandr Askoldov: The Commissar (KinoSputnik Book 1)

5 out of 5