Russia Behind the Camera: Archives, Art and Revolution

Join BAFTA award-winning film and television director, Margy Kinmonth, for a masterclass exploring film making in Russia. The masterclass includes screenings of films by Kinmonth focusing on working with archives, art and the impact of the Revolution. These will be complemented by discussions on working with the archives of some of Russia’s most established art institutions and museums, reflecting the impact of the Revolution on the Russian cultural and political scene. The masterclass will feature a sneak preview presentation of Margy Kinmonth’s new feature documentary in development – “Magic Staircase”.

ARCHIVES

The day will begin with a feast for the eye and ear: a screening of “Mariinsky Theatre 1783 – 2008”, the anniversary film of the historic Russian theatre, directed by Margy Kinmonth. The discussion to follow will explore working with complete access to institutions artists and archives.

ART AND REVOLUTION

In the second part of the day, we will screen “Revolution – new art for a new world”, a bold and exciting feature documentary that encapsulates a momentous period in the history of Russia and the Russian Avant-Garde, directed by Margy Kinmonth. The discussion to follow will explore working with art and the Revolution’s impact on Russia’s cultural and political scene.

Drawing on the collections of major Russian institutions, contributions from contemporary artists, curators, and performers and personal testimony from the descendants of those involved, the film brings the artists of the Russian Avant-Garde to life. It tells the stories of artists like Chagall, Kandinsky, Malevich, and others – pioneers who flourished in response to the Utopian challenge of building a New Art for a New World, only to be broken by implacable authority after 15 short years. Stalin’s rise to power marked the close of this momentous period, consigning the Avant-Garde to obscurity. Yet the Russian Avant-Garde continues to exert a lasting influence over art movements up to the present day. Revolution – New Art for a New World confirms this, exploring the fascination that these colorful paintings, inventive sculptures, and propaganda posters retain over the modern consciousness 100 years on.

MAGIC STAIRCASE PRESENTATION

The day will conclude with a sneak preview presentation of Margy Kinmonth’s new feature documentary in development – “Magic Staircase”.

Telling the story of Russian theatre and ballet through the characters that formed it, tracking their unique lives and destinies. A celebration of a cultural identity, which has traveled down the centuries and throughout the world, shaped by its extraordinary history. Margy Kinmonth’s exclusive filming access to the St. Petersburg State Museum of Theatre and Music, their apartment museums, extensive archive, and the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, where seeds of talent are grown.

Margy Kinmonth is a BAFTA award-winning film and television director whose many credits include theatrical features Revolution – New Art for a New World (Foxtrot Films/Arts Alliance), marking the 1917 Russian Revolution, Hermitage Revealed, and Royal Paintbox (Moscow Film Festival) with HRH The Prince of Wales.

The masterclass will be in English. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase DVDs of Margy Kinmonth’s films at the venue.