Directed by Robin Hessman
The history of the 20th century was bookended by the Bolshevik Revolution and the collapse of the Soviet Union, and in between came the era-defining Cold War. But for Russians who grew up during this history and now live beyond it, what does it mean to be Russian today? Robin Hessman’s thoughtful and beautifully crafted documentary explores the lives of a group of former schoolmates who are finding their ways in a brave new world: two teachers, a businessman, a single mother, and a once-famous rock musician.
Their stories, and the fabric of their lives, reveal a Russia that may or may not be worlds away from the Soviet model. Using propaganda films, home movies, and incredible access to her subjects, Hessman’s film creates a touching portrait of ordinary people living through extraordinary times.
2010. USA/Great Britain. 87 min.
BUY TICKETS ONLINE
Thu Mar 25: 6:15 (MoMA)
Sun Mar 28: 3:30 (FSLC)
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:
Born and raised in Massachusetts and now based in New York, Robin Hessman received a graduate degree in film directing from the All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) in Moscow. She received—with codirector James Longley—a 1994 Academy Award for their documentary short Portrait of Boy with Dog, (ND/NF 1994), and she was co-producer of the Peabody Award–winning documentary Tupperware! She is also an Associate of Harvard University’s Davis Center for Russian Studies and the director of documentary programming for Amfest, the American Film Festival in Moscow. Her first feature-length film, My Perestroika, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
