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.)
Remarks
- On-the-day Ticket Purchase Arrangement : Tickets are available at URBTIX outlets until one hour before the screening, after which tickets are available at URBTIX website and mobile app. On-the-day tickets will also be available at the Self-service Ticketing Kiosk of the respective venue, subject to availability.
- Unless otherwise stated, all films (except English-speaking films) are subtitled in English.
- 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.
