The Dialogues with Solzhenitsyn (1998)

In this evocative two-part portrait of Alexander Solzhenitsyn, director Alexander Sokurov interprets the acclaimed writer s life based on two lengthy talks with Solzhenitsyn and his wife. DIALOGUES is not a straightforward biography but instead focuses on Solzhenitsyn s monologues and his discussions with Sokurov about Russian literature, folklore, history, and language. The result is a portrait of a Russian legend through his own words. Product Description

Absolutely fascinating portrait of a literary, humanistic giant...

This is a fascinating, wonderful film. The film consists of little more than the title, Dialogues with Solzhenitsyn. But Alexander Solzhenitsyn is so fascinating, thought provoking, and brilliant, that I didn't mind at all. Sokurov does many bold, remarkable things here with his film. He hardly cuts at all. There are very few "documentary" shots used in the film. There are some stills of Solzhenitsyn when he was young, some stills of his family, but there is very little stock footage used (a common trick used by documentary filmmakers), and there are no fancy graphics at all (which are used ad nauesum by filmmakers today, especially American ones). Sokurov films himself occasionally in two shot with Solzhenitsyn while walking in a park, but that's really the only time you see him. Solzhenitsyn remarks on modern Russia, the lack of spirituality in modern society, the lack of great literature, his time in the Gulag, and his time in Vermont (which is rather charming). His wife is also featured, and she's a remarkable woman in her own right.

Some have complained that Sokurov, who is a great artist in his own right, is annoying and pushy when asking questions. Sokurov has many of the same concerns that Solzhenitsyn has about the world, Russia, and art, so it's a conversation between two artists who have areas of agreement and areas of disagreement. Sokurov doesn't have Solzhenitsyn's stature, but Sokurov is no hack reporter. He's a deeply artistic filmmaker, and he shows a deep respect for Solzhenitsyn by just showing the man. Some will say it's boring, but I found it profoundly fascinating. The film runs 3 hours, but it just flew by for me. If you are interested in Russia, her art, Sokurov, and Solzhenitsyn, you have to see this film. November 25, 2008

Unforgettable Film Experience

This is an astonishing and breathtakingly intimate portrait of Solzhenitsyn in the late 1990s, at his country getaway in Russia. Walking the wooded property and upstairs in his writing room, Solzhenitsyn is, at last, finally himself, not a public personna. His work on his vast historical cycle "The Red Wheel" done, he is consciously winding down and permits time for this film project. In allowing it, he also allows for what can be considered a unique addition to his canon, and of a sort he could not have made himself.

If film maker/interviewer Alexander Sakurov is a little awkward in some questions, a little wrapped up in his own puzzles, no matter. Solzhenitsyn is vastly tolerant and comfortable, and a masterful handler and juggler. He gets out what needs be said about his views and methods anyway, including memorable meditations on the Russian language and how he consciously tried to use it -- in an "ideal" sense. Trained as a mathematician (and we see shots of him rigorously home-schooling his own sons in the subject) we thus come to see his approach to language in a mathematician's sense -- use ideal words which must be in the language, like ideal geometrical shapes, even if not in dictionaries. Here too, Solzhenitsyn tacitly understands that his interviewer's lapses are not his own fault, but the sad legacy of any modern Russian deprived of his own history by 70 years of propagandaistic dumbing down.

This is a film to be seen more than once which must sobering thought. It moves quickly for its length, and can easily be broken down into 3 separate short films if too much all at once. October 24, 2008

Great man trying to have a conversation with a mental midget

Sokurov is the epitome of the elitist _Soviet_ style of "bringing culture to the masses" behavior of the Soviet cultural oligarchy. Unless you're prepared to endure his shallow attempts to contribute to creating an image of a great man who is Alexander Solzhenitsyn then don't bother -- you may find yourself throwing heavy things at the screen in total frustration. It will, however, illustrate the level of patience and grace by Solzhenitsyn having to go through this ordeal -- surely he went through a lot more in his life.

Giving it some stars only because it features Solzhenitsyn. It's a pity a wiser person didn't get to make this documentary -- it could have so much more insight and value. October 14, 2008

Another Russian Treasure preserved

In the beginning of Solzhenitsyn's Gulag Archipelago, a story is told where an expedition at the Kolyma River discovers a fish that has been perfectly preserved in the ice lens for thousands of years. The peasants broke open the ice and devoured the fish on the spot.

In "Dialogues" Russian filmmaker Alexander Sokurov dutifully preserves Solzhenitsyn on film for generations to come. A slight diffused focused image runs throughout the four part documentary, and many moments (some more magical than others) keep the camera rolling, framed on the author just relaxing, contemplating, and in repose for minutes. It's almost as if Sokurov is in a state of wonder, basking in the notion that here is a Russian great, still alive, and we, in our great fortune, are able to give him proper due.

Sokurov is committed to promoting the legacy and continuum of Russian writers, filmmakers, and artists. He has made films about Rostropovich, Tarkovsky, Dostoyevsky, and the Hermitage.

The film begins with a short documentary (using still photographs) of Solzhenitsyn's life, going through wartime, imprisonment and exile, bout with cancer, exile in Vermont USA, and then back to Russia. The first interview is symbolic and the most magical, as filmmaker and writer walk through the woods on a path, sitting on one bench after another. We get the sense that with each stop and ensuing conversation, he is revealing another layer to Sokurov, and finally, instead of following the path to the end, they opt for an alternate route. The author's wife Natalia Svetlova is also interviewed in their home.

Topics include the review process by which the Solzhenitsyn's provide aid for former wartime prisoners; vocabulary; syntax; war; God; religion; the involvement of Wall Street in the Bolshevik Revolution; the role of the artist; realism in art; the creative process; Solzhenitsyn's 10-volume novel, the Red Wheel; Chekov; the author Andrei Platonov; cruelty; suffering as an enrichment of the soul; technological progress vs. the enrichment of one's soul; and of course, the meaning of life.

It's obvious that Sokurov has not reached the level of understanding his subject has. Some of the questions Sokurov introduces seem less professional and more a schoolboy's eager anticipation to find out what his hero thinks. That's okay. This isn't an interview; it's a dialogue. And the filmmaker should be commended on his willingness to reveal his shortcomings onscreen. How else can one learn?

Though I'm sure it's not intentional, Sokurov sometimes came off a bit surly when he tries over and over again to *lead* Solzhenitsyn in his direction of thinking. The latter, being gracious, let's it go most of the time with a "it's wrong" or "no." Other times, it's almost comical when both men refuse to let up and talk over each other. Sokurov comes off pessimistic (even mopey) in most of his statements, while Solzhenitsyn, who has been through much more suffering and horrible times, seems wise and enlightened. When Sokurov frets on about the existence of extreme cruelty among humankind, Solzhenitsyn advises "it's only human to want to achieve success and have a career...people who did not understand their acts, we don't always have the right to bear judgement on others's acts. Don't look at it as cruelty...it's gives one a flat picture."

What breathtaking humanity!

July 23, 2008

Two great Russian minds meet

A wonderful opportunity to catch on this encounter between one of Russia's most unique souls with one of its most interesting filmmakers, here in the role of the interviewer. March 31, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...