Due to some common interests between German and Russian aristocracy ( the Russians even had aristocrats in their past not to mention they had an Empress called Catherine the Great, as great as this German count's heiresses… ), it is not strange that this Teutonic count has understood and even enjoyed Herr S. M. Eisenstein's "Staroye I Novoye".
It is not very usual that for the aristocracy to enjoy Bolshevist films full of proletarian demands that put private property at risk or as it happens in this case, a film about the Communist Party's policy on the subject of the collectivization of the Soviet agriculture. Normally this would be perfect gibberish for this German count, but thanks to Herr Eisenstein 's greatness and directorial talent, the hardships of the heroine of the film, Dame Marfa ( Dame Marfa Lapkina ) breached even the thick aristocratic Schloss walls.
And that's one of the first remarkable aspects of this oeuvre; in spite of the political subject of the film, the powerful images and lyricism ( astonishing and beautiful shot compositions ), especially during the first part of the movie, preserve the artistic merits entirely while serving a propaganda purpose. The second remarkable aspect of the film is the dichotomy between the old and new, the fight to improve the lot of Dame Marfa and her countrymen. There are many discussions because it is not easy even in Russia to change ancient and conservative customs. There are superb metaphors and social criticism ( illiteracy, bureaucracy, religiosity ) which perfectly fit the film, and last but not least, "Staroye I Novoye", is a kind of archaic documentary about ancient customs established deeply in old Russia, those ones that our heroine must fight against. And there is also a lot about agriculture ( very enlightening for this German count), especially about harvesting and how to fatten Russian cows or pigs ( literally, no pun here… ).
Herr Eisenstein had to bear during the last era of his film career, unbelievable censorship and mutilation of his work, as happens with "Staroye I Novoye". The film was reedited and Eisenstein accused of sympathizing with Trostky's policies but fortunately the film was restored and showed by the German-frenchified t.v. channel "ARTE", natürlich!, including an evocative music score by Herr Taras Bujewski, that fits superbly Herr Eisenstein primal artistic interests.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must buy a tractor for one of his Teutonic heiress.
吕晓禾,梁丹妮
成奎安 杨玉梅 姜皓文 邵兵
孙逢苑,马邵男,张漫文,李佳凌
扎克·埃夫隆,霍特·麦克卡兰尼,哈里斯·迪金森,斯坦利·西蒙斯,毛拉·蒂尔内,迈克尔·哈尔尼,斯科特·英尼斯,小萨尔瓦多·格雷罗,朱利安·杜尔西·维达,卡齐·路易斯·塞雷吉诺,瑞恩·尼梅司,莉莉·詹姆斯,凯文·安东,杰瑞米·艾伦·怀特,迈克尔·帕帕约翰,布雷迪·皮尔斯
刘德华,张敏,邱淑贞,吴孟达,陈惠敏,秦沛,关海山,龙方
西田尚美,寄川歌太,久保阳香,忍成修吾,市川实和子,栗林蓝希,细田佳央太,鎌田らい樹,大友一生,上原实矩,芦川诚,中野周平,片桐仁