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ALINA RUDNITSKAYA Alina Rudnitskaya\u2019s humanistic approach to documentary filmmaking often brings out the humour in her chosen subjects. As an introduction to her work, this programme depicts three diverse groups of contemporary Russian women.<\/p>\n Alina Rudnitskaya, Amazons, Russia, 2003, 20 min Alina Rudnitskaya, Besame Mucho, Russia, 2006, 27 min Alina Rudnitskaya, Bitch Academy, Russia, 2008, 29 min ALINA RUDNITSKAYA AMAZONS BESAME MUCHO BITCH ACADEMY
\nSaturday 25 October 2008, at 7pm
\nLondon BFI Southbank NFT3<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>A sensitive portrait of an unusual urban phenomenon: a troupe of independent and strong-minded girls who keep horses in the heart of St Petersburg. Amazons follows a new volunteer as she tries to find her place within the group dynamic.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>With music providing an escape from their duties as veterinarians, nurses and cleaners, the amateur chorus of a provincial town rehearse songs from Verdi\u2019s \u2018Aida\u2019. Close bonds are formed, but in true diva style, relationships within the choir are frequently inharmonious.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>An improbable symbol of modern Russia is displayed in this tragicomic verit\u00e9 on the aspirations of young women. In a progressive twist on assertiveness training, a middle-aged, paunchy Casanova (who surely loves his job) gives classes on how to seduce the male using role play, styling critiques and sexy dancing. The ultimate goal is to hitch a millionaire, and though there\u2019s much humour in the situation, occasional tears and telling looks remind us that the insecurities of real lives are being laid bare.<\/p>\nPROGRAMME NOTES<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Saturday 25 October 2008, at 7pm
\nLondon BFI Southbank NFT3<\/p>\n
\nAlina Rudnitskaya, Russia 2003, 35mm, colour, sound, 20 min
\n<\/strong>A cinematic portrait of a strange urban phenomenon: female equestrians who make a living by riding horses in the city streets and dogmatically oppose the participation of men. The inside story of these urban Amazons is shown through the eyes of a rookie team member. (Shadow Festival, Amsterdam)<\/p>\n
\nAlina Rudnitskaya, Russia, 2006, video, colour, sound, 27 min
\n<\/strong>An amateur women\u2019s choir in the provincial Russian town Tikhvin rehearses the opera \u2018Aida\u2019. In the daytime these women \u2013 heroes of the film \u2013 have ordinary life, work in the shops, remove the garbage, load goods on trucks, overcome the illnesses, but in the evenings they are carried away in absolutely different world. Their lives are filled with dreams, expectations of something bigger, brighter, that will help them to fly away from their ordinary life that is hard sometimes. The brief visit of the Italian delegation for which they rehearsed the opera underlines their illusions. The film is full with sadness and humour, which is true to the atmosphere of Russian village life in these times. (St. Petersburg Documentary Film Studio)<\/p>\n
\nAlina Rudnitskaya, Russia, 2008, video, colour, sound, 29 min
\n<\/strong>There were times, when \u2018bitch\u2019 had a negative connotation, but today it has become a real brand. \u2018Bitch\u2019 has become an example to follow for modern woman, an ideal image of our days. Most women older than 15 try to learn how to be a bitch. Who is a vixen, a modern bitch? How to become successful women? What does it mean to be a woman? What is \u2018women\u2019s nature\u2019 and \u2018women\u2019s spirit\u2019? Is it possible for a women to achieve, to succeed in this life without crossing ethical borders? A vixen is not a hysterical woman or capricious fool or envious snake. A vixen is a woman that follows her own desires but not someone\u2019s advice, she is independent and relies on herself only, she knows what she wants from life and men, she doesn\u2019t follow common stereotypes, she knows men\u2019s \u2018weak\u2019 points, and what is more \u2013 she has her inner freedom. The main shooting technique used in this film is a method of observation. Over time, the camera didn\u2019t attract attention to itself, leaving the subjects comfortable and behaving in a natural way. This film pretends to be called \u2018the best documentary comedy\u2019 about women. (St. Petersburg Documentary Film Studio)<\/p>\n