Taurus

film: 2000, 94 min., colour, Dolby digital

video: 2000, 2 parts (52 min. each), Betacam SP, Dolby Surround

Lenfilm, Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation

State Committee of Cinematography of Russia

The second film covers the theme of personalities and power in the 20th century. A parable about the limitations of power. The action is set in Russia of the 20’s in the famous «Leninskiye Gorki». The central character is Vladimir Lenin, «author, creator and chief organizer of upheaval in Russian history», ill, suffering, dying. All the events leading Russia to tragedy and the influencing external circumstances are left outside the main plot. Against the backdrop of malady the historical person is shown as merely mortal, a man incapable of changing anything, not only in the fate of his country which went beyond his control but even in the destiny of his own unhappy family, and in his own rapidly decaying personality.

«The ailing leader, his wife and sister, doctor, guardians, and future successors of power – all these personages are represented with documentary accuracy and at the same time with the free abstraction of fiction. The last area of effort made by the hero - his own weakening body the sufferings of which he would terminate – is also outside his control. The collision of global struggles of will, demanding and not yet faded completely, and an almost absolute physical and intellectual weakness creates a tragic-comic effect. Dramatic upheaval becomes a parody, and, on the contrary, the vivid fuss of ritual actions around the «significant» patient is penetrated with a tragic mood of loneliness, and the abandonment of any human being.

Sokurov’s Island (Ostrov Sokurova). Official website of Alexander Sokurov.

Prizes and Awards

2001

Participant of competition program of the International Film Festival in Cannes;
Grand Prix of Ninth Festival of Russian Cinema «Window to Europe», Prize «For Best Male Role» (Leonid Mozgovoy), Prize for Best Female Role (Mariya Kuznetsova)

2002
National prize «Gold Aries» of the movie critics and the movie press in nominations «Best Film», «Best Direction» (Alexander Sokurov), «Best Script» (Yury Arabov), «Best Photography» (Alexander Sokurov), «Best Art Director» (Natalya Kocherghina), Best Female Role and Best Male Role (Mariya Kusnetsova and Leonid Mozgovoy)
«Nike» prize for 2001 in nominations: «Best Fiction Film» (together with Victor Sergeev), «Best Producer», «Best Photography Director» (Alexander Sokurov)

2003
Andjey Vayida Prize at the «Freedom» Film Festival

CREW

• Alexander Sokurov (Film director, Photography director)
• Yury Arabov (Script)
• Natalya Kocherghina (Art director)
• Lidia Kriukova (Costume designer)
• Tatyana Kolomitseva (Make-up designer)
• Ludmila Kozinets (Make-up designer)
• Janna Rodionova (Make-up designer)
• Victor Sergeev (General Producer)

CAST

• Nikolay Ustinov
• Serghei Razhuk
• Natalya Nikulenko
• Mariya Kuznetsova
• Lev Eliseev
• Leonid Mozgovoy