Early Russian Cinema, Vol. 9: High Society

Discourse about early Russian cinema has focused on its highly individual characteristics and underappreciated artists, while so little attention has been paid to the industry as a whole, and its origins as a sideshow in the Moscow or Petrograd street. This volume includes two shorts and a major film by director Evgeni Bauer in an effort to correct this record:

Antosha Ruined by a Corset (1916) is one of twenty-four shorts made by Czech-born comedian Antoni Fertner between 1915-18. With titles like Antosha Sherlock Holmes, Antosha Speculator, and Antosha and the Black Hand, Fertner became the most popular comic for his topical, satirical and risqu romps.

With A Life for a Life (1916), producer Khanzhankov said that they “wanted to stagger the cinema world with a production of great artistic worth," and Bauer's heavily lauded achievement did just that. Their story of two sisters-by-adoption caught in a love triangle was called an “artistic treasure” and “a film that deserves a place alongside the best foreign productions.”

While the Khanzhankov sought to capitalize on their success with a follow-up, all hopes were dashed when the film's adored star, Vera Kholodnaia, tragically passed away the following year. Included in this volume is newsreel footage from The Funeral of Vera Kholodnaia (1919), shot on-location in Odessa.