ICA is closed from the 30 May – 3 June inclusive.
1 - 10 November 2024
Alexander Sokurov's films are known for their meditative pacing, rich visual language, and exploration of existential themes. Often compared to his mentor, Andrei Tarkovsky, Sokurov has developed a rich tradition of spiritual and philosophical inquiry in cinema, creating a substantial body of work that delves into history, memory, love, war, and the human condition. His talent has been expressed in both fiction and documentary forms, earning him numerous prizes, including the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Often touching on the subject of power and its abuse during his career, Sokurov himself has been confronted with it on more than one occasion. His very first feature film, The Lonely Voice of Man (1978), based on Andrei Platonov's writings, was condemned to destruction by Soviet authorities. Miraculously saved, it was only released nine years later during Perestroika. His most recent work, Fairytale (2022), which explores the afterlives of the major dictators of the 20th century, also faced censorship in contemporary Russia, and Sokurov himself was restricted from teaching in his filmmaking lab. Despite these challenges, he remains an unwavering artist, true to the path of art.
In addition to the aforementioned two films that span the entirety of Sokurov’s creative path, the programme includes two films from his cycle of documentary elegies—Oriental Elegy (1996) and Elegy of a Voyage (2001)—the captivatingly beautiful Mother and Son (1997), and the renowned tetralogy of power: Moloch (1999), Taurus (2001), The Sun (2005), and the award-winning Faust (2011).
Alexander Sokurov's films are known for their meditative pacing, rich visual language, and exploration of existential themes. Often compared to his mentor, Andrei Tarkovsky, Sokurov has developed a rich tradition of spiritual and philosophical inquiry in cinema, creating a substantial body of work that delves into history, memory, love, war, and the human condition. His talent has been expressed in both fiction and documentary forms, earning him numerous prizes, including the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Often touching on the subject of power and its abuse during his career, Sokurov himself has been confronted with it on more than one occasion. His very first feature film, The Lonely Voice of Man (1978), based on Andrei Platonov's writings, was condemned to destruction by Soviet authorities. Miraculously saved, it was only released nine years later during Perestroika. His most recent work, Fairytale (2022), which explores the afterlives of the major dictators of the 20th century, also faced censorship in contemporary Russia, and Sokurov himself was restricted from teaching in his filmmaking lab. Despite these challenges, he remains an unwavering artist, true to the path of art.
In addition to the aforementioned two films that span the entirety of Sokurov’s creative path, the programme includes two films from his cycle of documentary elegies—Oriental Elegy (1996) and Elegy of a Voyage (2001)—the captivatingly beautiful Mother and Son (1997), and the renowned tetralogy of power: Moloch (1999), Taurus (2001), The Sun (2005), and the award-winning Faust (2011).
Alexander Sokurov, born on June 14, 1951, in Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, is a Soviet and Russian filmmaker. He graduated from Gorky University with a degree in history in 1975 and later attended VGIK, a film school in Moscow, in 1979. Beginning his career in the 1970s, Sokurov faced Soviet censorship but gained recognition in the 1980s. Sokurov later achieved international acclaim with his innovative filmmaking techniques and was listed by the European Film Academy as one of the best 100 directors of world cinema. His works have been featured in major international film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, and Toronto, and he won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Programme
Fri 1 November, 6.45pm
Opening
The Lonely Voice of Man
Alexander Sokurov's first feature film follows Red Army soldier Nikita Firsov, who returns home to a remote Soviet village after the Civil War, haunted by disturbing memories.
Sat 9 November, 1pm
Faust
Diverging from Goethe’s original, Sokurov's Golden Lion award-winning work explores the destruction of familial and human bonds, portraying the end of the humanist tradition.
Sun 10 November, 6.30pm
Closing
UK PREMIERE
Fairytale
Sokurov employs his signature cinematic style to craft a phantasmagoric scene where four of the most infamous leaders of twentieth-century European history, alongside Christ and a cameo appearance by Napoleon, wander aimlessly, muttering in their native languages.
Fri 1 November, 6.45pm
Opening
The Lonely Voice of Man
Alexander Sokurov's first feature film follows Red Army soldier Nikita Firsov, who returns home to a remote Soviet village after the Civil War, haunted by disturbing memories.
Sat 9 November, 1pm
Faust
Diverging from Goethe’s original, Sokurov's Golden Lion award-winning work explores the destruction of familial and human bonds, portraying the end of the humanist tradition.
Sun 10 November, 6.30pm
Closing
UK PREMIERE
Fairytale
Sokurov employs his signature cinematic style to craft a phantasmagoric scene where four of the most infamous leaders of twentieth-century European history, alongside Christ and a cameo appearance by Napoleon, wander aimlessly, muttering in their native languages.
no. 236848.