Father Sergius (Otets Sergei), 1917
dir. Yakov Protazanov (1881-1945)
Based on a novel by Lev Tolstoy, this film tells the story of Prince Stefan Kazatsky (played by Ivan Mozzhukhin, a star of Russian silent film). The action is set during the time of Tsar Nicholas I (1796-1855). Kazatsky enjoys a successful career in the military. He falls in love with Countess Maria Korotkova (Vera Orlova, who also starred in Protazanov's more well-known film, Aelita, Queen of Mars [1924]). The Countess is the Tsar's mistress. When she becomes engaged to Kazatsky, she confesses her infidelities to him in the hopes that his love will enable him to forgive her. Kazatsky spurns her and feels betrayed by her and his beloved tsar. He decides to enter a monastary and the film follows his spiritual evolution and struggles with the desires of the flesh.
The film was made following the February Revolution, but not screened until after the October 1917 Bolshevik takeover. It is considered the one of the most powerful and artistic films of the pre-Soviet era.
Questions for your reaction paper and discussion:
*the decadence movement in late 19th and early 20th century European writings foregrounded artificial and unconventional themes that focused on personal moral and spiritual decay.