Of Freaks and Men

Of Freaks and Men (Russian: Про уродов и людей, romanized: Pro urodov i lyudey) is a 1998 Russian film directed by Aleksei Balabanov.

Of Freaks and Men
Directed byAleksei Balabanov
Produced bySergei Selyanov
Written byAleksei Balabanov
StarringSergei Makovetsky
Dinara Drukarova
Viktor Sukhorukov
Lika Nevolina
Alyosha De
Chingiz Tsydendambayev
Igor Shibanov
CinematographySergei Astakhov
Edited byMarina Lipartia
Production
company
STV
SoyuzKino
Release date
1998
Running time
89 minutes
CountryRussia
LanguageRussian


Synopsis

In the beginning of the twentieth century, two seemingly prosperous families become associated with the mysterious Johann, the owner of a photo studio, in the basement of which a certain photographic theater honouring the Marquise de Sade was created. Photographic postcards are produced with the humbled nakedness of the human body, causing lust and gloating triumph of power. Johann has the look of a photographer who knows how to see angel curls and a sweet smile in a girl, and the same look that corrupts the body, the look of a pornographer. Over and over again, Johann destroys the well-being of families and turns ordinary people into freaks, seized with vice.[1]

Premise

Filmed initially in black and white, then entirely in sepia tone, this film set in turn of the century Russia is centered on two families and their decline at the hands of one man, Johann, and his pornographic endeavours. Hailed by some as a masterpiece, the movie comments on the decline of Russian society as a result of the rise of capitalism.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack is taken from Prokofiev's ballet, Romeo and Juliet; and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.

Awards

At the 1998 Russian Guild of Film Critics Awards the picture was awarded the prizes for Best Director (Alexei Balabanov), Best Director of Photography (Sergei Astakhov), Best Art Direction (Vera Zelinskaya), Best Male Actor (Sergei Makovetsky) and Best Supporting Actor (Maksim Sukhanov).[2]

At the Nika Awards the film received the prizes for Best Film and Best Director (Alexei Balabanov).[3]

See also

References
  1. «Про уродов и людей» (1998) (in Russian), retrieved 2020-05-28
  2. "1998". Russian Guild of Film Critics.
  3. "Лауреаты Национальной кинематографической премии «НИКА» за 1998 год". Nika Award.


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