Cast
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Olga Reus-Petrenko
as Оксана - певица
Eduard Koshman
as Антон Петренко
Yuriy Gulyayev
as Вадим Чайка
Natalya Uzhviy
as Надежда Петровна
Oleksandr Hai
as Вайнер - органист
Valeriy Vitter
as Руди - сын Вайнера
Anatoli Chemodurov
as капитан
Stepan Shkurat
as дед
Sergey Petrov
as председатель жюри
Nikolay Slobodyan
as
A. Pospelov
as
Olga Nozhkina
as
Dmitriy Kapka
as военнопленный
Ekaterina Litvinenko
as мать
Valentin Grudinin
as
Crew
Director
- Sergei Parajanov
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Ukrainian Rhapsody examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Sergei Parajanov brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1961, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Ukrainian Rhapsody took approximately 20 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 88 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 116 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The screenplay went through 11 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 2 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 1961, when this film was released:
- The space race between the USSR and USA was at its height.
- The Vietnam War was becoming increasingly controversial.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Ukrainian Rhapsody shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Teach Me to Dance, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Ukrainian Rhapsody subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Import/Export and Sweet Darusya explore similar territory, Ukrainian Rhapsody stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: September 25, 1961
- Runtime: 1h 28m
