Aristocrats are full of, besides whims, contradictions.
How else could it be explained that this German count, from time to time, chooses to show at the Schloss Theater a revolutionary film like "Oktyabr" (1927) by Herr Sergei Mikhailovich Eisenstein??...
The third shocking contradiction ( the second one was that a film called "October" would be shown during the month of November ) is that a revolutionary film like this could be enjoyed without remorse by a conservative German count. Of course certain precautions must be taken first, primarily making sure that the domestic servants of the Schloss are occupied with extra work and don't see any of the revolutionary images included in the film and thus get inappropriate ideas.
But such contradictions and mysteries about the soul of an aristocrat has finally a simple answer: silent masterpieces are universal and it doesn't matter if you are a commoner or an aristocrat in order to enjoy these film treasures.
And that's certainly what happens with "Oktyabr", a fascinating silent oeuvre that was made on the 10th anniversary of the October revolution. Every time that this German count revisits the places and happenings depicted in the film, he is seized by an urgent need to join the revolutionary forces and take by storm the Winter Palace. Such are the power of the images included in "Oktyabr", an immeasurable catalogue of fascinating shots and sequences that would seduce the most conservative aristocrat, not to mention the commoners who have a natural predisposition to such incendiary messages. When a master film director is at work propaganda of any kind can draw in, with its absorbing imagery, people from all political persuasions. At least for the length of the movie.
Herr Eisenstein, in spite of the problems that he had with the authorities during his career, did always his best, putting together film lyricism, propaganda and emotion in equal and fascinating amounts, "Oktyabr" being a superb example of the unique mastery of this Latvian film director.
"Oktyabr" is a feast to the silent eye, genuine silent Art, the quintessential example of the great power of silent images, an universal and everlasting masterpiece arising out from dubious political interests; an incredible and admirable contradiction.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must mount a platform and harangue aristocrats about their non-existent rights.
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com
How else could it be explained that this German count, from time to time, chooses to show at the Schloss Theater a revolutionary film like "Oktyabr" (1927) by Herr Sergei Mikhailovich Eisenstein??...
The third shocking contradiction ( the second one was that a film called "October" would be shown during the month of November ) is that a revolutionary film like this could be enjoyed without remorse by a conservative German count. Of course certain precautions must be taken first, primarily making sure that the domestic servants of the Schloss are occupied with extra work and don't see any of the revolutionary images included in the film and thus get inappropriate ideas.
But such contradictions and mysteries about the soul of an aristocrat has finally a simple answer: silent masterpieces are universal and it doesn't matter if you are a commoner or an aristocrat in order to enjoy these film treasures.
And that's certainly what happens with "Oktyabr", a fascinating silent oeuvre that was made on the 10th anniversary of the October revolution. Every time that this German count revisits the places and happenings depicted in the film, he is seized by an urgent need to join the revolutionary forces and take by storm the Winter Palace. Such are the power of the images included in "Oktyabr", an immeasurable catalogue of fascinating shots and sequences that would seduce the most conservative aristocrat, not to mention the commoners who have a natural predisposition to such incendiary messages. When a master film director is at work propaganda of any kind can draw in, with its absorbing imagery, people from all political persuasions. At least for the length of the movie.
Herr Eisenstein, in spite of the problems that he had with the authorities during his career, did always his best, putting together film lyricism, propaganda and emotion in equal and fascinating amounts, "Oktyabr" being a superb example of the unique mastery of this Latvian film director.
"Oktyabr" is a feast to the silent eye, genuine silent Art, the quintessential example of the great power of silent images, an universal and everlasting masterpiece arising out from dubious political interests; an incredible and admirable contradiction.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must mount a platform and harangue aristocrats about their non-existent rights.
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com