Arsenal
Dir: Aleksandr Dovzhenko
Soviet Union, 1929, 88 minsmins, DCP
Cast: Semyon Svashenko, Amvrosi Buchma, Georgi Khorkov
A masterwork by the Ukrainian director Aleksandr Dovzhenko, retelling a true story but raising it from propaganda to an avant-garde masterwork (albeit perhaps one that asks more questions than a revolutionary film should). Incredible photography by cinematographer Danylo Demutsky takes us through the story of workers in the Kiev Arsenal fighting alongside the Bolsheviks against their own parliament; Dovzhenko went on to develop a trilogy drawing on and expressing the revolution and his doubts from the perspective of Ukraine – which resonate with contemporary politics.
Further Readings:
Arsenal, From “Defining Moments in Movies – The Greatest Films, Stars, Scenes, and Events that Made Movie Magic” (NY, 2007)
Arsenal, From Masters of the Soviet Cinema: Crippled Creative Biographies by Herbert Marshall (London ; Boston : Routledge & K. Paul, 1983.)
PREMIERE Elements (Venue)
Hong Kong Arts Centre Louis Koo Cinema (Venue)
HK Science Museum Lecture Hall
Hong Kong Film Archive
K11 Art House
The Metroplex
Festival Grand Cinema
the sky
MCL Telford Cinema
Tai Kwun
MOViE MOViE
CINE FAN ONLINE
EMP Cinemas iSQUARE (Venue)
M+ Cinema (Venue)
EMP Cinemas Times Square (Venue)
The Grand Cinema
Broadway Hollywood
Cine Moko
Chinese Subtitles
Category III
Post-screening discussion with the director
Director and/or actor(s) will meet the audience
Post-screening talk
Full House
Introduction
Remarks
1. Unless otherwise stated, all films (except English-speaking films) are subtitled in English.
2. Screenings at ALL commercial cinemas: Tickets are available at URBTIX till 5pm one day before respective screening, after which tickets will be available only at the box office of the respective venue on the day of screening, subject to availability.
3. Screenings at HK Arts Centre: Tickets are available at URBTIX until one hour before the screening, after which remaining tickets will be sold only at the door.
4. Screenings at M+ Cinema: No tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets are available at URBTIX outlets until one hour before the screening, after which tickets will be available at URBTIX website or mobile app only. Ticketing services for respective screening will not be available after the screening begins.
5. While it is the HKIFFS’s policy to secure the best possible print of the original version for all its screenings, the HKIFFS appreciates its patrons’ understanding on occasions when less than perfect screening copies are screened.
