Russia, 2007, 153 min Criminal Drama
Presented by Tri Te
Director Nikita Mikhalkov
Screenplay Nikita Mikhalkov, Vladimir Moiseenko, Aleksandr Novotskii, based on a screenplay by Reginald Rose
Producer Nikita Mikhalkov, Leonid Vereshagin
Director of photography Vladislav Opeliants
Art Director Viktor Petrov
Composer Eduard Artemiev
Starring Sergei Makovetskii, Sergei Garmash, Aleksei Petrenko, Nikita Mikhalkov, Valentin Gaft, Iurii Stoianov, Mikhail Efremov, Sergei Gazarov, Aleksandr Adabashian, Apti Magamaev
Awards Golden Lion of the 64 Venice IFF 2006
Golden Eagle for ‘Film of the Year' nomination by National Academy of Cinematic Arts 2008
Best Foreign Film nomination, Oscar 2008
Audience Choice Award at Karlovy Vary IFF
synopsis
A dozen men are sequestered in a jury room to decide the fate of a teenage boy on trial for murder. The informal conversation as the men prepare to deliberate indicates that they expect to be on their way home within minutes, since the prosecution's case is so compelling. Sure enough, the first vote is 11:1 in favor of conviction. Two-plus hours (and more than a dozen monologues) later, the 1 has persuaded the 11 to join him on the other side of the colon, so to speak, and vote for acquittal. This is the familiar plot of Sidney Lumet's 1957 film ‘Twelve Angry Men', based on Reginald Rose's 1954 teleplay (Rose also wrote the screenplay for Lumet's film). Fifty years later, Nikita Mikhalkov has adapted the story for a 21st century Russian audience, and the resulting film, despite its small cast, narrow narrative focus, and unitary setting, is ultimately concerned with the same ambitious question Mikhalkov poses in his other, more epic productions: What Is Russia?
Click here for a review of the film and here to see a trailer
creators
Nikita Mikhalkov
Director, co-writer of screenplay
Nikita Mikhalkov is arguably the most prominent figure in the contemporary Russian cultural (and political) scene. A decendant of two well-known Russian dynasties - the Mikhalkov and Konchalovsky families - Nikita Sergeevich is often perceived as the embodiment of Russian culture and spirit. Despite some controversy around his social and political activity in the recent years, his great contribution to Russian cinema cannot be overlooked. His filmography as an actor includes over 40 titles, and as a director, writer and producer Mikhalkov has made over 30 films, including such works as ‘Slave of Love', ‘Kinfolk', ‘Urga', and ‘Burnt by the Sun'.
Eduard Artemiev
Composer
A legendary figure of Russian and Soviet cinema, Artemiev is best known for his innovative, ground-breaking scores for most of Andrey Tarkovsky's films. He can be undoubtedly considered a lifelong collaborator of Mikhalkov, as he has composed scores and selected music for all of Mikhalkov's films. His filmography includes over 100 film and TV titles, not including theatre and opera productions.
actors
Sergei Garmash (taxi driver)
One of the most called-for actors in Russian cinema, TV and theatre, Sergei Garmash entered a drama school in Dnepropetrovsk (now in Ukraine) at the age of fifteen. Since 1984 Garmash has been working in one of the best Russian theatres ‘Sovremennik', where he has performed over 25 parts. His filmography includes over 90 films. Garmash is likely to be familiar to western viewers through his part in Andrzej Wajda's latest film ‘Katyn'. His most recent awards include a NIKA (the Russian equivalent of an Oscar) for his part in ‘12'.Alexei Petrenko (metro employee)
The career of this highly revered artist spans over four decades, with the diapason of characters ranging from King Lear, to Grigory Rasputin, to a simple minded metro employee in his recent work ‘12'. In 1988 Petrenko was awarded an honorary title of National Artist of the Russian Federation (then Soviet Union).
Mikhail Efremov (comic actor)
Son of the great Oleg Efremov (founder of the legendary Sovremennik Moscow Theatre), Mikhail Efremov is one of the most recognised and well-received contemporary actors. After graduating from MKHAT (Moscow Arts Theatre) acting school Mikhail has appeared in over 60 films, TV series and theatre productions. He holds the title of an Honoured Artist.
Back to the main programme at the Russian Film Festival 2008