Preparatory works for the filming of a feature film about Chagall and Malevich have commenced in Vitebsk
09/06/20120 views
June 9, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. Preparatory work for the filming of a feature film about Marc Chagall and Kazimir Malevich has begun in Vitebsk. This was announced in an exclusive interview with a BELTA correspondent by the film's director, People's Artist of the Russian Federation Alexander Mitta. He took part in the opening of the XXII International Chagall Readings.
The full-length film has been titled "Miracle about Chagall," but it also has a second title, which, according to the interviewee, more fully reflects the idea – "Commissar Chagall and Citizen Malevich," as the film will tell about two geniuses who, by the will of fate, found themselves in Vitebsk in 1918-1921, about their difficult relationship, and about Malevich's struggle for young minds. There will also be a melodramatic line: Marc and his wife Bella. "However, the main driving force of the film will be the two artists who, with their creativity, influenced all modern world art and opened new horizons to it," emphasized Alexander Mitta. By the way, the director has already addressed the personality of Chagall. In 1969, his film "Burn, Burn, My Star" was released, where the image of a village artist, brilliantly played by Oleg Efremov, was based on Marc Chagall, whose work Alexander Mitta has long admired.
At the same time, the film does not claim to be philosophically instructive. The authors do not intend to search for the sources of inspiration with art historical accuracy and compare the influence of certain historical events on the artists' work. "The film will have a certain degree of fiction, but we hope to attract the attention of the general public to these outstanding personalities," added Alexander Mitta. The script and idea of the film have received the approval of the Paris Committee of Chagall.
When writing the script, the director used the research by Valery Shishanov, Deputy Director of the Vitebsk Regional Museum of Local Lore, "Vitebsk Museum of Modern Art: History of Creation and Collections." He was assisted in his work by Vitebsk museums: the Marc Chagall Museum and the Center for Modern Art. According to the terms of the agreement with the production company, the director could not name the actors approved for the main roles, but assured that they are well-known Russian actors beloved by audiences.
The film shooting will take place in Saint Petersburg and Vitebsk. As the director admitted, he did not expect to find suitable locations in Vitebsk, which was almost completely destroyed during the Great Patriotic War. However, the desire to show the spirit of Vitebsk, the city where Chagall was born and lived, in the film was very strong. The film crew managed to find the necessary locations, and preparatory work is currently underway – scenery is being made. Vitebsk artists have been involved in the work. It is planned that the shooting will begin in Vitebsk at the end of July. The entire shooting process will be completed by September. Alexander Mitta did not mention the premiere date, citing that shooting is only a small part of film production.
Alexander Mitta hopes that his film about Chagall and Malevich will not only promote art but also attract even more attention to Vitebsk, where these geniuses created. -0-
BELTA