A Deboshir Film production. Produced By Rodion Ismailov, Alexander Bashirov Directed, written by Alexander Bashirov, inspired by «The Iron Heel» by Jack London. Camera (color), Sergei Lando, Vladimir Brylyakov; editor, Alexander Bashirov; music, Yvgeny Fedorov; Production desiner, Vladimir Svetozarov; Costume designers, Ekaterina Shapkaitz, Ludmila Romanovskaya; sound, Eleonora Kazanskaya. Reviewed at Venice Film Festival (Critics Week), Sept. 6, 1998. Running time: 70 min. Nikolai Petrovich…Alexander Bashirov Assol……………………….Rita Margo The Journalist………...Elena Yudanova The Singer……………….Inna Volkova The Secret Agent……Irina Sharovatova The Prostitute………Natalia Pivovarova
A bravura performance from writer-director Alexander Bashirov is the centerpiece of this oddball political comedy, which had many in Venice scratching their heads before racing for the exits. Though pic is a bit of a muddle, and unlikely to secure commercial bookings, it could find fest slots and is certainly and intriguing, possibly unique, entry from Russia. Set in St. Petersburg, «The Iron Heel of The Oligarchy» intros its skinny hero, Nikolai Petrovich (Bashirov) as a died-in-the-wool Communist who wants things to return the way they were in Russia. He seems to be unemployed, and spends his time haranguing dock workers about the evils of the bloated capitalists or handing out in a small bar. There he picks up a series of women and takes them back to his one-room apartment, but rather than having sex with them he reads them chunks of polemic material from Jack London’s «The Iron Heel». The femmes, including a journalist, a singer and prostitute, are, quite naturally, bored with the proceedings. One girl, Assol, professes to love Nikolai. Most of their time together is spent talking about the evils of society, and they’re constantly being sied on and followed by a comic group of security agents – just like in the Communist era. Bashirov gives a wild, unrestrained performance as the disgusted hero, while Rita Margo is sweet as girl who loves him. Other players are along for the ride. Pic is beautifully shot on a limited number of locations. Its a minor and specialized experience that will no doubt divide audiences on the fest circuit in coming months.
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