Arsenal
Dir: Aleksandr Dovzhenko
Soviet Union, 1929, 88 minsmins, DCP
Cast: Semyon Svashenko, Amvrosi Buchma, Georgi Khorkov
A masterwork by the Ukrainian director Aleksandr Dovzhenko, retelling a true story but raising it from propaganda to an avant-garde masterwork (albeit perhaps one that asks more questions than a revolutionary film should). Incredible photography by cinematographer Danylo Demutsky takes us through the story of workers in the Kiev Arsenal fighting alongside the Bolsheviks against their own parliament; Dovzhenko went on to develop a trilogy drawing on and expressing the revolution and his doubts from the perspective of Ukraine – which resonate with contemporary politics.
Further Readings:
Arsenal, From “Defining Moments in Movies – The Greatest Films, Stars, Scenes, and Events that Made Movie Magic” (NY, 2007)
Arsenal, From Masters of the Soviet Cinema: Crippled Creative Biographies by Herbert Marshall (London ; Boston : Routledge & K. Paul, 1983.)
Remarks
1. Unless otherwise stated, all films (except English-speaking films) are subtitled in English.
2. For screenings at ALL commercial cinemas, tickets are available at URBTIX till 5:00pm one day before respective screenings. After that, tickets will be available only at the box office of the screening venue on the day of screening, subject to availability.
3. Screenings at HK Arts Centre, HK Film Archive and Tai Kwun: For screenings that are about to start in 1 hour, all remaining tickets can only be bought at the box offices of the respective screening venues.
4. Screenings at HK Science Museum: There is no URBTIX Outlet at the venue. Tickets are available at URBTIX till 1 hour prior to the respective screenings. Door ticket counter opens 30 minutes before the screening. Limited tickets to non-sold out screenings will be available at the door, subject to availability (Cash Only).
5. Screenings at M+ Cinema: Tickets are available at URBTIX only. No tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets are available at URBTIX website, mobile app and outlets only. Ticketing services for respective screening will not be available from 30 minutes after the screening begins.
6. While it is the HKIFFS’s policy to secure the best possible print of the original version for all its screenings, the HKIFFS appreciates its patrons’ understanding on occasions when less than perfect screening copies are screened.
