剧情简介
Due to some common interests between German and Russian aristocracy ( the Russians even had aristocrats in their past not to mention they had an Empress called Catherine the Great , as great as this German count's heiresses… ) , it is not strange that this Teutonic count has understood and even enjoyed Herr S . M . Eisenstein's "Staroye I Novoye". It is not very usual that for the aristocracy to enjoy Bolshevist films full of proletarian demands that put private property at risk or as it happens in this case , a film about the Communist Party's policy on the subject of the collectivization of the Soviet agriculture. Normally this would be perfect gibberish for this German count , but thanks to Herr Eisenstein 's greatness and directorial talent , the hardships of the heroine of the film, Dame Marfa ( Dame Marfa Lapkina ) breached even the thick aristocratic Schloss walls. And that's one of the first remarkable aspects of this oeuvre; in spite of the political subject of the film , the powerful images and lyricism ( astonishing and beautiful shot compositions ) , especially during the first part of the movie , preserve the artistic merits entirely while serving a propaganda purpose . The second remarkable aspect of the film is the dichotomy between the old and new, the fight to improve the lot of Dame Marfa and her countrymen . There are many discussions because it is not easy even in Russia to change ancient and conservative customs . There are superb metaphors and social criticism ( illiteracy, bureaucracy , religiosity ) which perfectly fit the film , and last but not least , "Staroye I Novoye" , is a kind of archaic documentary about ancient customs established deeply in old Russia , those ones that our heroine must fight against. And there is also a lot about agriculture ( very enlightening for this German count) , especially about harvesting and how to fatten Russian cows or pigs ( literally , no pun here… ) . Herr Eisenstein had to bear during the last era of his film career, unbelievable censorship and mutilation of his work , as happens with "Staroye I Novoye" . The film was reedited and Eisenstein accused of sympathizing with Trostky's policies but fortunately the film was restored and showed by the German-frenchified t.v . channel "ARTE", natürlich! , including an evocative music score by Herr Taras Bujewski , that fits superbly Herr Eisenstein primal artistic interests . And now , if you'll allow me , I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must buy a tractor for one of his Teutonic heiress .