The Commissioner - 2003-12-03 Director: Alexander Askoldov Russia, 88/1967, Black and White, 111 minutes This bold and innovative film was made in 1967 but was banned before its release due to its anti-war theme and exposure of the persecution of Jews in Russia. It was unbanned 21 years later during the Glasnost period and was praised as a 'lost masterpiece' by film enthusiasts around the world. The story takes place during the Civil War of 1922 and revolves around a female officer of the Red Army who befriends a man in one of the cities of Ukraine but soon finds herself abandoned and pregnant. A poor Jewish family takes her in and shows her humanity and love. Thus, the pregnant officer becomes acquainted with Jewish culture. Askoldov, influenced by the rich tradition left by innovators like Einstein and Pudovkin, created this film with an energetic mix of soft camera movements and striking symbolism, clearly depicting aspects of life in slums. The characteristic of this style appears in specific moments where, amidst the surrounding silence and calm, an explosion of poetic and violent energy suddenly emerges. This style, characterized by an explosion of violence and fluidity, quickly gained followers and can be seen as a precursor to the style of famous directors like Martin Scorsese.
The Commissioner
The film 'The Commissioner' directed by Alexander Askoldov was made in 1967 but banned due to its anti-war message and portrayal of Jewish persecution. It was later released during Glasnost and is celebrated as a significant work in cinema history. Its themes and style have influenced future filmmakers.
📰 What Happened
The film 'The Commissioner' directed by Alexander Askoldov was made in 1967 but was banned due to its anti-war message and portrayal of Jewish persecution. It was later released during Glasnost and is celebrated as a significant work in cinema history.
- The film was banned for 21 years due to its controversial themes.
- It is recognized as a precursor to modern cinematic styles.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The film addresses issues of war and cultural identity, particularly the experiences of Jews in Russia, which are relevant to understanding historical and contemporary struggles.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 90%