Nikita Mikhalkov (b.1945)Nikita Mikhalkov (b.1945)

Descendant of Russian Descendant of Russian nobility. Comes from a nobility. Comes from a family of successful family of successful writers and artists; son of writers and artists; son of the the ““twice-anthem-writertwice-anthem-writer”” Sergei Mikhalkov.Sergei Mikhalkov.

Privileged, close to the Privileged, close to the inner circles of power.inner circles of power.

Conservative views.Conservative views. Leader of the Union of Leader of the Union of

Filmmakers.Filmmakers.

Nikita MikhalkovNikita Mikhalkov

Started early as an actor in film Started early as an actor in film I Walk Through Moscow I Walk Through Moscow (1963).(1963).

Universally talented actor, Universally talented actor, starred in numerous films of starred in numerous films of many genres, including many genres, including comedies.comedies.

In the 1990s – 2000s, the In the 1990s – 2000s, the dominant figure in Russian dominant figure in Russian filmmaking industry. filmmaking industry. Organized, in 1984, a film Organized, in 1984, a film production centre production centre ““Three TsThree Ts””..

Joint productions with Western Joint productions with Western companies. Aesthetics companies. Aesthetics ““for for exportexport”” (the opposite of his (the opposite of his early films).early films).

Allegedly, was going to run for Allegedly, was going to run for presidency of the country.presidency of the country.

Selected films directed Selected films directed by Nikita Mikhalkovby Nikita Mikhalkov

2010-2011 2010-2011 Burnt by the Sun 2Burnt by the Sun 2 2007 2007 12 12 (a remake of (a remake of Twelve Angry Men Twelve Angry Men by by Sidney LumetSidney Lumet, 1957), 1957) 1999 1999 The Barber of SiberiaThe Barber of Siberia 1994 1994 Burnt by the SunBurnt by the Sun 1993 1993 Anna: From Six Till EighteenAnna: From Six Till Eighteen 1993 1993 Remembering ChekhovRemembering Chekhov 1991 1991 Close to EdenClose to Eden 1987 1987 Dark Eyes (Oci ciornie)Dark Eyes (Oci ciornie) , starring Marcelo Mastroianni (based , starring Marcelo Mastroianni (based

on Chekhovon Chekhov’’s s Lady with a Lap DogLady with a Lap Dog)) 1979 1979 Five EveningsFive Evenings 1979 1979 OblomovOblomov (after a classical 19th cent. novel by Ivan (after a classical 19th cent. novel by Ivan

Goncharov)Goncharov) 1977 1977 An Unfinished Piece for a Player PianoAn Unfinished Piece for a Player Piano (based on Chekhov) (based on Chekhov) 1976 1976 Slave of LoveSlave of Love

The Barber of SiberiaThe Barber of Siberia: the most expensive film project : the most expensive film project ever in Russia (40 million dollars)ever in Russia (40 million dollars)

Mikhalkov and his daughter Nadya receiving Mikhalkov and his daughter Nadya receiving an Oscar (BFF) for an Oscar (BFF) for Burnt by the Sun (1994)(1994)

Reproducing the atmosphereReproducing the atmosphere

Action takes place on one day in the Action takes place on one day in the summer of 1936.summer of 1936.

Not historically accurate: semi-caricature.Not historically accurate: semi-caricature. Six months before 1937, year of Terror.Six months before 1937, year of Terror. Ominous signs at beginning of film: Ominous signs at beginning of film:

unmarked truck, news of show trials on unmarked truck, news of show trials on radio, “House on the Riverbank”.radio, “House on the Riverbank”.

Pioneers, new festivals, air-raid drills. Pioneers, new festivals, air-raid drills.

The Sun: Stalin

References Louis XIV le roi soleil Title (Russian: Утомлённые солнцем, lit.

Fatigued by the sun) Tango was the hit of the time: occurs as

refrain throughout. Who will Marusia, Nadya tango with? Invention of the random, burning “sun” that

flashes through the film.

The cast of CharactersBetween the old society and the new

Kotov, a Red Army general, highly revered hero Kotov, a Red Army general, highly revered hero of the Civil War, Stalinof the Civil War, Stalin’’s friend, resembles s friend, resembles Chapaev, rough diamond, doesn’t speak Chapaev, rough diamond, doesn’t speak French.French.

Marusia, his wife, from upper class family; Marusia, his wife, from upper class family; Nadya, their daughter caught between the twoNadya, their daughter caught between the two

Mitya, MarusiaMitya, Marusia’’s childhood friend she was in s childhood friend she was in love with, absent for 8 years; a former White love with, absent for 8 years; a former White army officer, now an agent of NKVD, Stalinarmy officer, now an agent of NKVD, Stalin’’s s secret police.secret police.Kotov and Mitya are both victims and villainsKotov and Mitya are both victims and villains

Space as a themeSpace as a theme

The problem of alienation in a transformed The problem of alienation in a transformed society (society (““at home among strangers, stranger at home among strangers, stranger among friendsamong friends””))

Literature as an important influence and source Literature as an important influence and source of the filmof the film’’s aesthetics:s aesthetics:

ChekhovChekhov’’s plays; Russian novels, s plays; Russian novels, A Nest of A Nest of GentlefolkGentlefolk..

Contrast of comfortable, old-world dacha, and Contrast of comfortable, old-world dacha, and scary outside spacesscary outside spaces

Marusia and Mitya

Kotov and Nadya

Nadya represents the Soviet future

Kotov and Mitya in two triangles

Battle with Mitya for future: daughter

Battle for the past: Marusia

The Hamlet theme:

Water – suicide – betrayal - exile 

Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears

Had left the flushing in her galled eyes,

She married. 0, most wicked speed, to post

With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!

It is not nor it cannot come to good;

But break my heart, for I must hold my tongue!