Movie spotlight
Zvenyhora
The momentous film stars Mykola Nademskyi as the grandfather of Tymish, whom he alerts to the secret treasure buried in the mountains of Zvenygora – a treasure that rightfully belongs to his homeland. The film wonderfully blends both lyricism and politics and uses its central construct to build a montage praising Ukrainian industrialization, attacking the bourgeoisie, celebrating the beauty of the Ukrainian steppe and retelling ancient folklore. Sergei Eisenstein said of the film, "As the lights went on, we felt that we had just witnessed a memorable event in the development of the cinema".
Insights
Plot Summary
The film tells the story of a peasant named Pavlo who is sent to work in a mine, where he dreams of finding a legendary treasure within the Zvenyhora mountain. His dreams are contrasted with the harsh realities of his labor and the social and political changes occurring around him. It is a visually striking and allegorical tale exploring Ukrainian identity and mythology.
Critical Reception
Zvenyhora is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Soviet cinema and a landmark of Ukrainian filmmaking. It was lauded for its poetic imagery, innovative visual storytelling, and its blend of realism with fantastical elements. The film was influential in its time and continues to be studied for its artistic merit and thematic depth, though it was also subject to ideological scrutiny.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its breathtaking cinematography and dreamlike sequences.
Celebrated as a pioneering work in Soviet silent cinema.
Admired for its exploration of Ukrainian folklore and national identity.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews is not readily available for this silent film from 1928.
Fun Fact
Zvenyhora is considered the first film in Alexander Dovzhenko's 'Ukraine Trilogy,' which also includes 'Arsenal' (1929) and 'Earth' (1930).
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