Andrey Gromov

Cinema in Russia

Documentary film about early years of Russian cinema: its first directors, cameramen, producers and actors. Includes rare fragments of pre-revolutionary feature films, newsreels and Starewicz's animation.

The Dying Swan

After being betrayed by her playboy lover, a heartbroken mute young woman joins a ballet company; during a performance of “The Dying Swan,” she enraptures a painter obsessed with portraying death genuinely.

Mirages

Marianna advertises for work as a reader and is employed by the reclusive millionaire Dymov. Appreciative of her sensitive, artistic nature, and of her youthful innocence and purity, Dymov is protective of Marianna and shields her from the attentions of his philandering playboy son. Marianna confesses to her fiancé Sergei that, at times, she feels deeply conflicted, drawn by the seductive lure of wealth and luxury. When her protector Dymov dies, his son begins to pursue her. Can Marianna resist her attraction to the opulent lifestyle that Dymov's son offers?

The Portrait

A man is increasingly unnerved by a mysterious portrait. Based on a story by Nikolai Gogol, the film is thought to have run about 45 minutes long, but only an 8 minute fragment is known to have survived.

Wicked Night

A young man discovers the reason his new bride killed herself.

Snegurochka

Based on Alexander Ostrovsky's "The Snow Maiden"

Silent Witnesses

In order to allow another servant to go home to be with her children, Nastya agrees to serve in her place, as a maid in the household in which Nastya's grandfather is a porter. Soon afterwards, the woman who owns the house goes on a trip, leaving her son Pavel at home. Pavel is engaged to Ellen, but Ellen flirts openly with other men. Nastya and the servants quickly realize that Ellen is having an ongoing romantic affair with Baron von Rehren. This puts the servants, and especially the sensitive Nastya, in a painfully uncomfortable position.

Bela

First film adaptation of the chapter “Bela” from Mikhail Lermontov’s A Hero of Our Time.

Uncle's Apartment

A man rents out his uncle's room to all kinds of people.

1812

Made in 1912, this film has become known as one of the greatest pieces of pre-Soviet cinema. The silent film tells the story of the Patriotic war of 1812 when Napoleon attempted to invade Russia. This joint French and Russian film sparked major excitement in Moscow at its premier screening and continues to entertain audiences throughout the world today. The 32-minute silent film was the point of origin for some of the more advanced camera techniques used today. Sirotin of the Voice of Russia said that, “The film is interesting to spectators even today and is frequently shown both in Russia and abroad.”

A Trip To The Moon

Not finished.

Defence of Sevastopol

First film ever that was shot by two cameras. Set in 1854-1855, in Sevastopol and Yalta during the Crimean War. Admirals Kornilov (Mozzhukhin) and Nakhimov (Gromov) organize the defense during the siege of Sevastopol. Both admirals are killed during the battle, and the city of Sevastopol is taken by the alliance of British, French, Sardinian, and Turkish troops. The legendary feat of Sailor Koshka (Semenov) was staged at original location. The 100 minute-long film was premiered in 1911 at the Livadia, Yalta, palace for the Tsar Nicholas II.

The Queen of Spades

Based on Pushkin's short story: When his friends play faro, Germann always enjoys watching, but he never gambles himself. One day, as he is watching their game, he learns that an elderly countess staying nearby is said to possess a secret for winning a fortune at the game. Germann is determined to learn this secret from her, and he initiates a romance with her grand-daughter Liza, in order to improve his chances.

Vadim

The landowner Palitsyn (Chardynin) long and successfully sues the neighbor. The lawsuit led to the ruin. He died, leaving orphans children — humpback a young boy Vadim (Speransky) and three-year Olga. In order to avoid condemnation, the Palitsyn takes the girl to the pupils. The young man vows to take revenge on the offender and leaves this region. Several years pass. Olga (Goncharova) becomes the beauty and object of desire of the elderly Palitsyn. Comes the hour of revenge. Returned and did not learn of Vadim goes to the Lord in slaves. Soon he reveals to Olga the truth about the real family. The girl agrees to help Vadim. Meanwhile, the younger Palitsyn — son Yuri returns to the estate. Olga falls in love with the young landowner and refuses to help her brother. Finally angry Vadim decides to finish with the whole hated family. He goes to the camp of Pugachev to later return to the estate of Palitsyn and take revenge.

The Peddlers

An adaptation of a folk song.

Mermaid

"Rusalka" or "Mermaid" based on Pushkin, an opera by Dargomizhsky, and other sources: A prince and a miller's daughter have been involved in a romance together, but now the prince tells her that he must break it off. After the prince leaves, the distraught young woman attempts to drown herself. When the prince's wedding day arrives, he is tormented by her image, which appears wherever he goes. Eventually, he is compelled to return and to try to find out what happened to her, regardless of the consequences.

The Idiot

An adaptation of the Dostoyevsky novel.

Boyar Orsha

Based on Lermontov's poem of the same name, Boyar Orsha (Peter Chardynin) leaves the service of Ivan the Terrible.

Mazeppa

Mazepa, the Ukrainian governor is in love with his goddaughter Maria. He quickly wins her heart. But her old father treats the wooer harshly… Maria runs away. The furious father won’t submit. This intrigue makes the most of the ingredients of historical drama. Maria is confronted to the arbitrary; the young woman is in a dilemma between her love and her family. The tragic outcome is equal to her destiny.

A Sixteenth Century Russian Wedding

A dramatization of a wedding in 16th-century Russia, between members of two prominent boyar families (based on paintings by Konstantin Makovskii): Three matchmakers first visit the family of the prospective bride, and then do the same with the prospective bridegroom's family. Later, as the time of the wedding draws near, the bride is dressed with great formality and prepared for the ceremony, as the guests get ready to celebrate the upcoming wedding.