1-World Festival of Foreign Films
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"Commissar"
1967-87
Directed by Alexandr Askoldov

One of the most important Soviet films, this indictment against anti-Semitism was Askoldov's first and last feature film. A tale of a Red Army commissar who finds herself waylaid by an unexpected pregnancy. She lives with a Jewish family while awaiting the arrival of her baby, and finds herself softened by family life, while civil war rages around them. Shortly after its completion, Askoldov was fired and the film locked away. Now finally released, the film's "artistic and emotional impact is formidable…Askoldov has mastered a poetic style" (Sight and Sound).    "Commissar" was well-received at the Berlin International Film Festival, winning several awards including a Silver Berlin Bear. Russian with English subtitles.
110 minutes.