Russian Film Club: Uncle Vanya

Dive deeper into the captivating world of Russian cinema through a curated selection of award-winning contemporary and classic films spanning various genres.

At our monthly gatherings, you can look forward to engaging discussions that delve into the nuances of each film, offering perspectives on storytelling techniques, cinematography, and the socio-cultural context in which the movies were created. By announcing the film a month in advance, we aim to give you ample time to watch, reflect, and come prepared to share your thoughts and insights with fellow cinephiles.

Language will not be a barrier at the Russian Film Club, as all our sessions are conducted in English, welcoming film enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds to come together and explore the beauty and depth of Russian cinema. Whether you’re a seasoned film buff or just discovering the magic of Russian movies, our club provides a welcoming space to expand your horizons and appreciation for cinematic artistry.

Along with Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg, Chekhov is often named as one the main figures of early modernism in the theatre.  In his Uncle Vanya despite the deceptively simple plot, he managed to bring up all the eternal questions of life.

Andrei Konchalovsky as a director sought to get as close to the text of the original as possible, preserving the special Chekhovian atmosphere.  Konchalovsky together with his amazing cameraman adds volume to the themes raised in the drama and the play resonates as loudly as ever.

You can watch the film here with a subscription Uncle Vanya (Дядя Ваня) 1970 in English Online

Or for free here https://youtu.be/0V2EZqQy99I   (English subtitles here are not always accurate)

You can read “Дядя Ваня” in Russian here https://anylang.net/en/books/ru/uncle-vanya/read, (and if you click on an unknown word, the translation should pop up), or here (in English) https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1756/1756-h/1756-h.htm

We recommend the translations by either Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky or Annie Baker or Paul Schmidt.