Ward No. 6 is a short story written by Chekhov in 1892. It has appeared in various collections of Chekhov short stories, including The Horse-Stealers and Other Stories translated by Constance Garnett in 1921. In this story, Chekhov explores the inner working of a run-down lunatic asylum in a provincial town. He introduces the readers to a coarse porter who speaks mostly with his fists, various patients, a doctor who presides over this ward, and expresses his thoughts with a local postmaster. It was recently made into a movie , featuring Vladimir Ilyin. Here's a clip . There's also this very recent short film (30 min.) by Suzana Purkovic, with English subtitles.
Uh, no....
ReplyDeleteJulie Christie she is not. You might want to share this with Barton, though. I think he is a fan.
I remember Dr. Zhivago as one of the most beautiful movies I'd ever seen. I also remember it as one of the most effective pieces of anti-Soviet, anti-communist propaganda. It has been years -- probably when it came out -- so I'm not sure how it would seem now. But that's how I remember it.
Gintaras, this is an amazing blog.
ReplyDeleteThe entire history of Russian film and literature all in one place. I'm in awe every time I stop by.
Thanks av. The new Russian Dr. Zhivago is well worth a look. Much more true to Pasternak's novel. Pasternak was off limits during Soviet times, which was why Lean made his cinematic version. Pasternak had nothing positive to say about Bolvsheviks or the revolution. Unfortunately Lean trimmed a lot off the novel and didn't give Tonya her fair due, I thought. She is a much more captivating woman in the novel and in the new film version. Makes you wonder why he would give her up for Lara. But, Zhivago is an odd character, more in step with the 19th century Nihilists, I thought, than the modern 20th century Russian.
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