USSR, 1929, directed by Oleksandr Dovzhenko, 93', OV engl. subtitles
(sound by Guy Bartell and Bronnt Industries Kapital) (silent film/narrative/classic)
This epic film tells the story of the suppression by Central Council troops of the Bolshevik uprising in 1918 at the Arsenal factory in Kyiv. In Soviet mythology, the uprising at the Arsenal is nothing less than the key episode in the scenario of Bolshevik martyrdom in Ukraine. However, it should be remembered that the uprising was not so much a citizen rebellion of the Kyivans against the Central Council, as a protest against it by Russian workers and instigated by the Bolsheviks, who were competing for power in Ukraine.
‘Arsenal’ is considered one of the outstanding expressionist films in the Ukrainian cinema canon.
Oleksandr Dovzhenko, fascinated by the idea of national liberation and social revolution, placed the events of the uprising at the margins of the narrative, ultimately creating a flagship political film for the Ukrainian intelligentsia on both sides of the civil war. The film describes the chaos of war rather than pressing a clear political message.
The film was released in 1929. Almost a hundred years later, Ukraine is enmired in another war. Current affairs are not only related to the events of the early 20th century, but also to the way they were perceived and rethought by Ukrainian filmmakers. ‘Arsenal’ will be screened with music by Bronnt Industries Kapital.
Guest: Anna Onufriienko (Film Researcher, Dovzhenko Centre)
Moderator: Barbara Wurm (Lecturer, Slavic Studies, Humboldt-University)
Funded by Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung
→ Delphi Lux | Kantstraße 10 | free admission