Such a conservative part of life as religion rarely accepts innovation with open arms. Considering the fact that the Church did not accept books, theater and music very happily, needless to say that cinema, with its hundred-year history, microscopic on the scale of centuries, had a particularly difficult time. Nevertheless, all major religions have been forced to come to terms with the extraordinary power of art, films now receive the blessing and approval of the highest church hierarchs, and the Vatican, for the anniversary of cinema, even published a list of films that it considers to be the heritage of mankind. Today is the time to look back at those paintings that religious organizations considered worthy of your attention.
It’s not even very clever to talk about it, but the Catholic Vatican considered the classic silent horror film directed by Friedrich Murnau “Nosferatu” to be a completely godly spectacle. Murnau planned to bring Bram Stoker's extremely popular novel about Count Dracula to the screen, but was unable to acquire the film rights, so he changed the names of the characters and plot details. The role of the creepy blood-sucking monster Orlok was played by Max Schreck, who created the canonical vampire image, being in the frame for only 9 minutes out of an hour and a half running time. The unblinking glassy gaze of the vampire chilled the audience to the marrow of their bones, but the Vatican considered that the picture quite reliably demonstrates the victory of the forces of good over death and darkness.
One of the largest productions of German Expressionism, the multi-layered dystopia Metropolis also received flattering reviews from the Vatican supremacy seven decades after its release. The motto, put as an epigraph by director Fritz Lang, fits perfectly into the norms of Christian morality, and any religion in general: “The heart must be the mediator between the head and hands.” The film's multiple metaphors, such as the creation of the robot man, the fall of Babylon-like Metropolis, and the rise of conventional hands against reason, are excellent reads, despite the fact that the film has undergone multiple reworkings. Today, the full, almost three-hour version of the film is again available to the world, which fully reflects Fritz Lang’s view of the world.
Attentive readers will remember that the painting by Carl Theodor Dreyer recently appeared on our opposite list - the top of paintings not approved by the Church. Indeed, the initial release of the film by the Catholic leadership was sharply condemned; the Church did not like the down-to-earth depiction of the holy martyr and the humanization of a symbol that became the personification of resistance to injustice for a long time. Later, religious dogmatists changed their anger to mercy and even considered that Renee Falconetti, who played the role of the Maid of Orleans, gave the image the necessary for best understanding believers character traits. Religion also needs heroes, why not take advantage of the help provided by cinema?
Still from the cartoon "Fantasy"
It's a little strange to see an animated film among the films that bear the Vatican Approved stamp, but who are we to discuss the decisions of the Pope? There is hardly another cartoon that has had such an impact on the history of cinema, but Walt Disney's Fantasia is an undisputed masterpiece for the ages. The musical tape, based on the works of Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Paul Dukas, Igor Stravinsky and other magnificent composers, is decomposed into several components and at the same time remains an indivisible whole, which also very picturesquely characterizes the largest religions of the world. Now it’s hard to believe, but the main character of the film could well have been not Mickey Mouse, but the dwarf from Snow White, because the popularity of the classic mouse waned in the late 1930s. Disney's instincts did not disappoint - the change of the leading character was only a plus for the film.
If the main New Year's television film in Russia has nothing to do with religion, then in English-speaking countries on Christmas Eve it is customary to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” - a film in highest degree godly. Main character Frank Capra's film, in despair, decides to take his own life on Christmas Eve, but with the help of a guardian angel sent to help him, he gains the understanding that his existence is not so useless. From the moment of its release, the life-affirming film began to serve as a beacon for all those who have lost strength in the fight against problems, the heroes have become cult, and the plot with life flashing before one’s eyes is now used everywhere. Capra himself considered “Life” the best picture of his career, and the Vatican preferred this film to all other Christmas stories.
The Church is quite difficult to please, even when making films on religious themes. Films based only on some details of the Old and New Testaments have even less chance, however, even the mighty Vatican could not dismiss Ben-Hur. Novel American writer Lew Wallace has been filmed several times, but William Wyler's Peplum achieved the greatest recognition. The epic story only indirectly concerns the events of Scripture, focusing on the life of the contemporary of the Savior, the wanderer and martyr Judah Ben-Hur, but at the same time it fantastically accurately conveys the turning point in the life of all mankind - the inevitable approach of the trial of Pilate and the crucifixion of Christ. The film was the first in cinema history to receive 11 gold Oscar statuettes and for a long time became the elusive pinnacle of the genre.
Along with La Dolce Vita, Federico Fellini's Eight and a Half is today considered the pinnacle of the famous Italian director's work. It’s funny, but the tandem of these two films, inextricably linked by critics, is being torn apart by religious leaders to opposite poles of perception - “ Sweet life"was banned by the Church for a long time, and "Eight and a Half" is recognized by the Vatican as one of the masterpieces of world cinema as an inspiring work of art. Without knowing it, Fellini set several cinematic trends with his film, which were later used by Tarkovsky, Bergman and Antonioni. The process of creation, the miracle of the creation of the author's canvas, demonstrated in the film, became an example of auteur cinema and uncompromising decisions on the set.
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The Catholic and Orthodox churches showed surprising unanimity regarding Andrei Tarkovsky’s historical drama “Andrei Rublev.” The film, which was not only born in pain, but also could not get on the screens of the country in which and for which it was filmed for two decades, tells in several seemingly unrelated short stories the life of Rus' in the early 15th century. The icon painter Andrei Rublev, who left the monastery, wanders through medieval Rus', demonstrating the morals and life of his contemporaries. Along the way, the faith of a talented but unusually vulnerable person is tested. For the first time in Soviet cinema, such close attention was addressed to history, religion and faith, the film aroused great interest around the world and was recognized as one of the best films on religious themes.
Even religious figures could not resist the Black monoliths of Stanley Kubrick's space fiction. “2001: A Space Odyssey” is a colossal canvas, a leap into the future, technological, social and, of course, spiritual. Volumes of research are devoted to the analysis of the philosophical component of Arthur C. Clarke’s novel and Kubrick’s film based on it, but the main words are about inner world The director himself says: “The heart of the film is the concept of God.” Usually picky about how God is shown on screen, Catholics were unable to make any claims against Kubrick - in the film highest form consciousness is demonstrated in the form of a kaleidoscope of colors and geometric shapes. At the same time, the author touches on the theme of the Messiah, but in a form that suits representatives of all religions.
No matter how fierce the competition between the world's various religions may be, some leaders of the political and public life, influencing the history of all mankind, become revered symbols for all parties. The Hindu Mahatma Gandhi, the leader and ideologist of the movement for Indian independence from the British Empire, became a model figure for all countries. Richard Attenborough's film Gandhi, where Ben Kingsley played the title role, most fully and deeply reveals the image of one of the greatest freedom fighters of the 20th century. Nonviolent resistance, proclaimed by Gandhi and his associates, today serves as an example for many human rights defenders and activists, and its effectiveness is recognized by all government and religious leaders.
To ignore such a layer of history as the conquest of the New World would be an unforgivable mistake of ours, because together with the gold-hungry conquistadors and settlers conquering lands for themselves, the Jesuits also crossed the Atlantic, bringing the light of the Christian faith to the Indians of Central and South America. Best picture about this bloody and turbulent period of history, the Vatican, jealous of missionaries, recognized Roland Joffe’s film “The Mission.” The picture is indeed very atmospheric and impressive, primarily thanks to the wonderful Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons, who played the main roles. The struggle for the inexperienced souls of the Guarani Indians between the Spanish and Portuguese visitors turned into a confrontation stained with the blood of the priests.
Most modern film, which earned a place on the Pope's list was Steven Spielberg's military-historical drama "Schindler's List." The Vatican was not embarrassed by the fact that the main characters of the film were hundreds of Jews saved from imminent death, and the film’s slogan was a quote from the Talmud, a set of Jewish rules: “He who saves one life saves the whole world.” The film about the German industrialist Oskar Schindler, who spent several months rescuing prisoners from concentration camps and providing them with shelter and work, was in development for thirty long years and, perhaps, that is why it turned out to be so distilledly accurate. The film not only received many awards and became the pinnacle of Spielberg’s dramatic career, “The List” also became an example of courage and faith in the broadest sense.
The clash of religions has always been accompanied by copious bloodshed and broken destinies; unfortunately, today we are not much further away from our ancestors who fought for the faith a thousand years ago. Of course, times have changed, but how fragile these changes are can be seen at least from Vladimir Khotinenko’s film “Muslim”. Nikolai, who spent seven years in Afghan captivity, converted to Islam and returned to native village a true Muslim. The religion, unusual for the Russian hinterland, at first does not cause any problems, but gradually Nikolai’s attitude towards money, work, faith, and alcohol, incomprehensible to the soul of a Russian person, causes confusion, and then hostility. One of the main roles of Evgeny Mironov and the best picture to date, connecting Orthodoxy and Islam, which rarely find common ground.
For a long time, Soviet cinema avoided any religious inclinations, but the Russian cinema that replaced it did not strive too much for spirituality. Pavel Lungin's painting "The Island", in which the main role was played by Pyotr Mamonov, became a real discovery for the audience; it turned out that faith is not only pot-bellied priests in gilded robes leading services in rich churches, but also modest elders leading a hermit lifestyle in practically uninhabitable corners of the country. Monk Anatoly for many years repents for a sin committed many years ago and receives forgiveness when he almost despairs of making amends even with earnest prayers and help to his neighbors. I liked the picture Orthodox priests Russia and was recommended by them for familiarization to all those interested in issues of genuine faith and true repentance.
Divided even the very top of the Russian Federation into two camps. Orthodox Church next collaboration Pavel Lungin and Pyotr Mamonov - painting “The Tsar”. The historical drama, which describes the difficult relationship between Ivan the Terrible and Metropolitan Philip of Moscow, was received with hostility by many, but all complaints were mainly directed at the image of the king that Mamonov embodied on the screen. Much fewer questions were addressed to Oleg Yankovsky, for whom the role of Philip was the last in his colorful life and biography. The fantastic level of acting drama was noted by critics, spectators, and clergy, who, even despite the general negative attitude towards the film, admit that no one has ever shown the highest church ranks in such detail in our cinema.
Stay in touch with us and be the first to receive the latest reviews, selections and news about cinema!Here you will find a selection of the best Orthodox TV series of the 21st century that you want to review.
Many wonderful films have been made on the topic of Orthodoxy, most of them documentaries or in the form of interviews, where you can get answers to your questions.
U feature films the simpler task is to show a piece real life, draw attention to the episodes. Looking at the situation from the outside, perhaps even trying it on yourself, give the soul the opportunity to perk up and think, am I living correctly?
To check mental abilities We have been accustomed to this since childhood - we do mental exercises all the time, starting in school, and even earlier.
But to test the sensitivity of the soul, feature films are perfect, a kind of test for the soul, after which you can yourself assess the degree of its callousness. An example of such a test can be safely called 12 life stories “ Spas under the birches" and one-episode movie "Granny".
Many people have a stereotype that if a film is Orthodox, it must be sad and gloomy. This selection is against such a stereotype. Here you will not find biographies of saints; this includes films about ordinary people with their daily worries, during which there is no time to remember about God.
This selection is united by the fact that all series have an exciting plot, good humor and no moralizing. And their essence will sometimes become clear after re-watching. All films are about our era, with the exception of the historical series " Split«.
Before showing feature films, we will not break tradition and post newsreel. It will include non-format tapes:
- documentary "Death of an Empire" Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov), who blew up society
- Meeting with the archpriest Andrey Tkachev. Answers to questions from the laity
Newsreel:
*** The death of the empire. Byzantine Lesson *** (2008)
Those who managed to be born in the USSR and go to school will confirm that in everything school course history did not even mention the Byzantine Empire, which lasted for more than 1100 years - not a single empire in the entire history of mankind can boast of this.
The reason was that, having come to power, the Bolsheviks began to write their history in 1917. And there shouldn’t have been any mention of a strong Orthodox empire.
After this is over documentary film it will feel as if something vitally important was deliberately hidden from you. After all, ignorance and forgetting of history leads to its repetition. And if forewarned, it means forearmed.
The film will show in a concise form the rise, prosperity and reasons for the fall of a powerful empire. In addition to showing the history of events, the film draws a parallel with the history of Russia, which became the recipient of Orthodoxy.
This fact and others, in particular those who like to hear that the now civilized Christian Europe robbed the richest empire for almost 50 years, caused heated debate after the film.
*** Archpriest Andrey Tkachev. Answers to questions from the laity *** (2016)
From Archpriest Andrei Tkachev you can get clear answers to almost all vital questions.
No, not like that - it would be more correct to say that you can hear answers to questions from him. everyday issues that most people face ordinary life. He is good at combining the teaching of faith in Christ with everyday “little things”, with reference to our time.
After his sermons, your head becomes clearer and it becomes clear how to act in difficult situations. You can safely call him an Orthodox psychologist.
TOP 7: The best Orthodox TV series (2000-2016)
1 . Father Matvey (2014)
Father Matvey is assigned to a parish in a quiet town where he comes to live. As you know, in a quiet city there is a lot of stuff. It just so happens that he ends up where something is happening, sometimes before the police themselves. Which causes indignation, especially when he tries to help in the investigation.
Against this background, it is very interesting to observe how a priest in the world communicates with people, helps them not only in word, but also in deed. This endears him to himself and becomes truly necessary not only in the church. So the number of parishioners gradually grows and the abandoned church comes to life. People are grateful for what he does. It is shown how he and his wife run the household and raise two boys.
2. Schism (2011)
A well-filmed, historical film about an event that caused a schism in our church. This happened in 1653. The new Patriarch planned to carry out a reform in the Church, to cleanse the faith of manifestations of paganism.
The clash of interests of the Tsar, Patriarch Nikon and Archpriest Avakuum led to a split in the church and persecution. The film helps to understand this long-standing and little-studied history, restoring the course of events and showing how Orthodoxy was established in Rus'.
3. Proverbs (Belarus, 2010-2014)
Parables are short instructive stories that are always listened to with great attention, but here is such a gift - not just one, but many, all in the form of artistic subjects. We must pay tribute, they were filmed with good humor, which helps to reveal their depth. We managed to avoid moralizing and, to a child’s eye, they look like Yeralash for adults.
Not everyone knows that the parables were filmed in Minsk, at the St. Elisabeth Convent. Most of the actors are not professionals, but novices and parishioners of the monastery. And despite this, or maybe thanks to this fact, the stories turned out to be very true, touching and sometimes funny. And most importantly, the meaning of the Gospel truths, which cannot be taken literally, begins to be revealed.
4. Father (2008)
The story of this series is unusual - as a rule, in most films about the church, the main thing is character- this is the priest. Here we are talking about a caring person. Roman, 40, has spent most of his life at sea as a boatswain in the navy. A bachelor by conviction, accustomed to traveling, he briefly came to his village where he was born.
And in order not to sit idle until he went to sea again, he undertook to restore the Temple, destroyed under the Bolsheviks. At first they look at him with bewilderment, and there are only a few who want to help. Gradually he manages to attract local authorities and fellow villagers who enjoy authority.
Together the church was restored, life in the parish became lively. And the sea awaits Roman again. And he would have left if he had not fallen in love. As a result, he decided to stay - he married his chosen one and was ordained a priest - he became a priest.
5. Planet of Orthodoxy (2008)
This is the only documentary series. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it is an Encyclopedia of Orthodoxy. Living in Russia, it will be surprising to discover how many different people are united by the Orthodox faith.
Turns out, Orthodox churches can be found all over the world. In 12 episodes you can see - Bulgaria and Serbia, Syria, Lebanon and Georgia, Japan and Hong Kong, Romania and Albania, Israel and Sinai, the USA, Poland, the Czech Republic and Finland, Tunisia, Tanzania and Egypt, Turkey and Cyprus, Australia and Indonesia, Greece and Russia.
It is surprising to learn about the peculiarities of the neighborhood of Orthodoxy in each country - with Protestants, Catholics, Lutherans, Muslims, Jews. It will be interesting to see and hear about the peculiarities of parish life. Despite the small number of parishes in some countries, new parishioners are constantly appearing.
The Patriarchs and Metropolitans of the countries listed above took part in the recording of these films. Calm, unhurried presentation creates the effect of presence. This is not a collection of tourist guides to the sights - life is shown here ordinary people and how faith helps them in everyday life.
6. Icon hunters (2005)
In 1998, a two-part film “ Siberian Spas“(***) about a unique icon that survived and did not fall into the hands of the Bolsheviks. And based on inaccurate data, you have to look in the dark Siberian village, which is cut off from the world and there are no roads to it. The artist, nicknamed Begun, is searching for old icons, or “boards,” as collectors and buyers call them. Financial difficulties drive him to Siberia in search of an ancient icon.
It is interesting to observe how a person will change once he gets to this village, which is not indicated anywhere. And how an icon protects itself and its guardians.
The plot of this story inspired new people and 7 years later a series appeared that told about this interesting story in even more detail.
7. Spas under the birches (2003)
This wonderful series consists of 12 hotel short stories, which tell the story of different people and their different paths to God. All roads led them to the old Moscow Church of the Savior under the Birches. Completely ruined under socialism, the temple was restored by joint forces.
It was headed by Father Georgy, a former combat pilot. He often has to look for non-standard solutions to get out of situations that seem hopeless. He has two adult daughters - one is an adult, has her own business, but does not have a husband, the second is younger, looking for herself and doesn’t know what to become, she almost became an artist. It is interesting, and sometimes not without a smile, to watch how they communicate with their families. They find the right solutions and ways out of difficult situations.
It is noteworthy that the stories told in each episode are often far from the church, and the heroes are many non-believers who make mistakes and meanness. Family difficulties and misunderstanding border on love and fortitude. And when there is no one to go to for advice, people take their problems to the temple.
*** Siberian Spas *** (2 episodes, 1998)
The same story about the artist (TV series “Icon Hunters”), searching villages for old icons for sale abroad. When the legend about the ancient icon “Siberian Savior” turned out to be true, he miraculously did not die and ended up in a remote village of Old Believers, saw their way of life and the strength of their faith, and realized that he wanted to stay here forever.
If until this day you have been putting off regular reading of Christian literature, then two reasons have appeared for this grace-filled deed. Firstly, March 14— Orthodox Book Day. The holiday is very young, introduced 4 years ago. But reading for a Christian is an important part of spiritual work. And now, the other day, a wonderful time for spiritual exploits begins!
The most important book for a Christian should undoubtedly be the Holy Scripture. In addition, these are patristic works, the lives of saints. In addition to this, in lately a lot has appeared on the book market various books Orthodox authors. And, of course, we must remember that not all of them are equally valuable. Among these books there are completely non-Orthodox in essence, there are those in which genuine Orthodox teaching is mixed with occult or pseudoscientific ideas. Every person has their own favorite books. According to the website lib.pravmir.ru, we offer you 10 most read modern books , useful in spiritual work.
1. - book by Archimandrite Tikhon Shevkunov. Published in 2011. The book aroused great interest among the reading public. Thus, by October 2012, the total circulation of the book was one million one hundred thousand copies. As Archimandrite Tikhon himself said: “I told almost all the stories that were included in the book during sermons. All this is part of our church life.”
2. — last piece Orthodox author Viktor Likhachev, who passed away in 2008. The writer did not have time to finish his book, but he hoped that everyone who reads it would recognize himself in it, feel that boundless love for Russia, for the Russian village that the author had, and let into his heart faith in God and hope that that the Angels, our heavenly patrons, will never leave us...
3. " Prologue in teachings for every day of the year"— the book was compiled in 2007 by Archpriest Viktor Guryev. “Prologue” is an ancient Russian hagiographic collection, originating from Byzantine month books, in which the lives of saints are arranged in accordance with the days of their church memory. In addition, the “Prologue” is decorated with understandable and often entertaining passages from the ancient Patericons, parables imbued with thoughts of repentance, mercy, Christian love for one’s neighbor, spiritual perfection and salvation of the soul.
4. "Father Arseny"- this book, published from the pen of an unknown author, clearly shows the reader the triumph of love over evil, life over death. Father Arseny is the image of a holy elder - a zealous man of prayer, sober, meek, who has completely surrendered himself into the hands of God. The first editions spread throughout Russia and beyond its borders and made the book “Father Arseny” one of the most beloved in the Orthodox world.
5. "Soul after death"(O. Seraphim Rose) - there is probably no book that so clearly, accessiblely and clearly reveals the post-mortem experience of a person and gives the concept of angelic and other world. The book contains two thousand years of experience of the holy fathers. The publication has a twofold purpose: firstly, from the point of view of the Orthodox Christian teaching about the afterlife, to provide an explanation of modern “posthumous” experiences that have aroused such interest in some religious and scientific circles; secondly, cite the main sources and texts containing Orthodox teaching about the afterlife.
6. "Red Easter"(Pavlova N.A.) - it was after this book that the author became widely known. The book is already 11 years old, but it does not lose popularity. It tells the story of the three Optina new martyrs - Hieromonk Vasily and the monks Ferapont and Trofim. These are three completely different people, their paths to God were special. The ascetic life is amazing; many readers note that after this book they immediately want to visit Optina Pustyn.
7. “Who will hear the linnet?”(Likhachev V.V.) — a novel about the Motherland and the Russian soul. He leads the reader along the roads of the Russian province. The main character is drawn into real adventures: he carries miraculous icon, evading a gangster's pursuit... And internally, one goes through the path of spiritual growth: from unbelief to faith, from confusion to blessed peace, from mental blindness and deafness to insight and hearing the miracle of God.
8. "Heavenly Paths"(Shmelev I.S.) - a novel about the fate of the skeptic-positivist engineer Viktor Alekseevich Weidenhammer and the believer, meek and internally strong Darinka, a novice of the monastery who left the monastery to connect her life with Viktor Alekseevich. Through suffering and joy, in mysterious and incomprehensible ways to the worldly mind, these heroes are led to the Source of Life. The internal plot of the book is “spiritual warfare” with passions and thoughts, temptations and attacks of dark forces.
9. "Chief of Silence"(Vsevolod Filpyev) - the book addresses eternal questions - love and hatred, loyalty and betrayal, truth and lies. The characters in the book resolve these issues differently and sometimes unexpectedly. An action-packed, realistic narrative draws the reader into the events that take place in the winter of 2002 in Moscow and North America. Together with the heroes, the reader finds himself in St. Petersburg of the 19th century and in the historical times of princes Boris and Gleb. The parable story is intended for a wide range of readers, and everyone is free to interpret it in their own way.
10. "Repentance is left to us"(abbot Nikon Vorobyov) - letters addressed to his spiritual children, laity and monastics. Father Nikon edifies, instructs, calls for repentance and patience, shows what needs to be done, what thoughts need to be kept, consoles, teaches how to properly relate to sorrows: “The Fathers have long said about our times that people will be saved only by sorrows and illnesses. Healthy and happy people forget about God, oh future life: they live as if they will live on earth forever and will never die. And sorrows and illnesses force a person to break away from earthly interests and turn to God... Save your souls through repentance, patience and humility.”
Happy reading!
Prayer before reading spiritual books:
Lord Jesus Christ, open the eyes of my heart, so that when I hear Your Word, I understand it and fulfill Your will. Hide not Your commandments from me, but open my eyes, that I may understand the wonders of Your law. Tell me the unknown and secret of Your wisdom! I trust in You, my God, and I believe that You will enlighten my mind and meaning with the light of Your mind, and that then I will not only read what is written, but also fulfill it. Make it so that I do not read the Lives of the Saints and Your Word as a sin, but for renewal and enlightenment, and for holiness, and for the salvation of the soul, and for the inheritance of eternal life. For You, Lord, are the illumination of those who lie in darkness, and from You is every good gift and every perfect gift. Amen.
Veronica VYATKINA
Films, the plots of which, for a modern view, turn out to be filled with Orthodox characters, an Orthodox point of view on the events described, oddly enough, were filmed back in the “atheistic” USSR. Tarkovsky’s “Rublev” can be considered an unconditional Orthodox masterpiece. Or “The Legend of the Holy Princess Olga” by Yuri Ilyenko. Many TV viewers probably remember “Young Russia” with Ivan Lapikov in the role of Archbishop Afanasy of Vazhsky and Kholmogory.
The Orthodox historical film by Boris Karpov also played a major role in the religious influence on Soviet citizens. "On the Kulikovo Field". Unfortunately, this tape either remains undigitized or is simply very difficult to find for viewing online.
Filmed back in 1987, Dm’s graduation project. Zolotukhina "Christians"(based on the story by L. Andreev, revised ─ attention! - by the novice cinematographer Pavel Lungin), despite the declared criticism of Christian dogmas, it also has evangelical notes in the plot. The wonderful actor N. Pastukhov, who plays a priest in the film, created a rather capacious image of a Christian forced to participate in a “demonic” action (earthly judgment).
But the most striking project on the topic of the Christian worldview in Soviet cinema remains the duology of Viktor Tregubovich "Hop: Fortress" And "Hop: Exodus". The dilogy tells about the fate of the Decembrist saved by the Old Believers. The Old Believers directly declare to the rebel nobles: “we are not Russian people and not Orthodox, but true Christians.” The conflict between the secular (Decembrist A. Blok) and religious (Father Filaret Fyodor Odinokov) understanding of how the world can be improved is revealed boldly, without dogmatism. We highly recommend watching this film online.
The best Russian films about Orthodoxy
In the same 1991, a wonderful picture by Natalia Bondarchuk was released "Lord, hear my prayer" or “Ask and it will be given to you”(the name for the TV project) based on Leskov’s story, skillfully woven by the scriptwriters with "Life".
After perestroika: Russian films about Orthodoxy
The decade 1995 ─ 2005 turned out to be fertile for films on religious themes. Apparently, it is correct to say that the spirit can achieve the greatest freedom in the darkest times. In this era, the state with directives “from above” does not yet interfere in the creation of films, and the Church is more occupied with Christian documentaries, and not with the imposition of dogmas.
Foreign films about Christ, about the first Christians and about Christianity in Russia are instantly dubbed into Russian. modern world:
- "The Passion of the Christ" by Mel Gibson.
- "Abraham" with Richard Harris leading role(1994).
- "Ben-Hur" - three versions at once, 1959, 2010 and 2016.
- "Prophet Moses" 1995
- “Demetrius and the Gladiators” is a 1954 film about early Christian martyrs.
And there are many similar Western films: sometimes very useful, from an educational point of view, sometimes ─ outright “crafts” that are hardly worth watching, like Philip Saville’s “The Gospel of John” (2003).
But in Russia, thanks to the activities of church documentaries during this period of time, stunning films about monasteries and holy monasteries appear, and both in the territory former USSR, and abroad. But educational documentaries should be especially highlighted
- "Saints"
- "Saint Ignatius Brenchaninov",
- “St. Paphnutius Borovsky Monastery”…
These, as well as other documentaries of those years, often created on the sheer enthusiasm of Orthodox Christians, with little financial but rich spiritual support from the church, should definitely be “put aside” for family viewing online on Orthodox YouTube channels.
"Island" by Pavel Lungin
In 2006, a low-budget film by Pavel Lungin was released, but immediately won a huge influence on the minds of moviegoers, and is still, alas, unsurpassed in the sharpness of its concept and the breadth of its spiritual understanding of problems. "Island". Despite the “military-historical” beginning ─ the betrayal of the driver of a military boat on Lake Ladoga in the year of the Great Patriotic War ─ this small picture, shot for little money, remains to this day one of the most Christian, Orthodox films.
In “The Island” there is no direct condemnation of whoever it is (even betrayal: a person, after a moment of weakness, finds his way to God after repentance) and whatever it is: it is very vivid in the conversations of the main character (the “elder” Father Anatoly in a brilliant performance Peter Mamonov) with the rector Father Filaret, who is brilliantly played by Viktor Sukhorukov.
Thus, “The Island” touches not only on the topic of betrayal () and subsequent redemption, but also on the topic of the Russian Orthodox Church’s attitude towards “eldership” as a phenomenon of Russian Orthodoxy, which is not very readily covered today.
The film completely (and unexpectedly!) eclipsed the series "Spas under the birches", released a few years earlier.
It was the enormous success of “The Island” in Russia ─ the film was bought and DVDed, copied onto VCRs, watched online ─ it seems that influenced the fact that this masterpiece was subsequently practically drowned by a flood of films on Orthodox themes.
After “The Island”: new Russian Orthodox films
After “The Island,” there came a time of “flood” (sometimes blessed, sometimes flooding something reasonable in the water meadows of cinematography) of domestic feature films on Orthodox themes. Lungin himself, for example, failed to repeat the success of “The Island,” although he made a very interesting film: about the confrontation between Metropolitan Kolychev - the future Saint Philip of Moscow and Ivan the Terrible.
Unfortunately, the director, who may have consulted theologians and historians of Orthodoxy, was unable to reliably depict the era. According to many critics, the director also failed to characterize Tsar Ivan, or Lungin and Mamonov deliberately turned the cruel, cunning politician into the figure of a villain from a Western comic book. But the image of the metropolitan saint created by Yankovsky certainly turned out to be very worthy; the picture is definitely worth watching, at least for the sake of this character.
Another misfortune awaited the filmmakers "Horde": director A. Prokshin and screenwriter Yu. Arabov were able to recreate the era of the “Zamyatni” in the Golden Horde, the period when the Mongols and Tatars, who were pagans or Christians, began to be mercilessly destroyed by adherents of Islam. But the main figure of the Metropolitan of Moscow (after all, the film had the working title “Saint Alexy”), despite all the efforts of the artist Maxim Sukhanov, the efforts of the screenwriter turned out to be unconvincing. It is difficult to imagine a politician and a sage kicking a servant (his only assistant in the Horde), who learned from himself during his imprisonment by the Lithuanians in Kyiv that it was on such “servants” that his life depended.
Nevertheless, among the number of Russian feature films on Orthodox themes in recent years, “Tsar” and “Horde” should definitely be in the top ten.
TOP best Russian Orthodox films
Best Documentary Orthodox films recent years can be found on “church” YouTube channels, such as:
- Ray of Orthodoxy.
- Orthodoxy and modernity.
- The power of Faith.
As for the most significant Russian feature films on Orthodox themes of recent years, we recommend that you start getting acquainted with the top ten that are offered to you.
- “Island”, 2006, director – P. Lungin.,
- “Pop” (“Pskov Mission”) directed by Vladimir Khotinenko,
- “Raskol” ─ series from chief director Nikolai Dostal,
- “Horde”, a collaboration project between director Alexander Prokshin and screenwriter Yuri Arabov.
- “Sophie” ─ a film for the little ones from Ilya Litvak,
- “Tsar”, the second film by P. Lungin, last role Oleg Yankovsky (Metropolitan Philip),
- “The Savior under the Birches” by Nikolai Eidlin ─ about the life and difficulties of church parishioners in a small village.
- “The Monk and the Demon” is another interesting project by N. Dostal.
- “Miracle” (“Zoya’s Standing”) is a semi-documentary film that received a special prize at the Moscow Film Festival, which became the second project of A. Proshkin (director) and Yu. Arabov (script) in the field of “Orthodox cinema.”,
- “Father” ─ series by Vasily Mishchenko, 2008
These films are a must see. Interesting, but less clearly revealing paintings can also be recommended for viewing:
- “Awakening” directed by K. Tishchenko, 2014
- “For My Name” ─ short film by Maria Mohar.
The youngest viewers may enjoy a very kind series of cartoons about St. George the Victorious, “Prince Vladimir” (about Saint Vladimir and Saint Olga) and even 3D animation "Seraphim's Journey".
Full list You can find Russian Orthodox feature films on the website "Orthodox Cinema"
Adults (preferably without the presence of a small child in front of the screen) are highly recommended to watch a foreign film "St. Augustine" from the Canadian producer and director, author of the wonderful series about Joan of Arc with Leelee Sobieski, Christian Duguay. Those who were not satisfied with how the theme of Orthodoxy is revealed in the notorious “Viking” can look at the painting by B. Mansurov on the same topic "The Saga of the Ancient Bulgars"(2005). Movies can be found and watched on any movie sites.
Many educated people today refuse TV and prefer to read interesting books. Modern television is truly mind-numbing, but good films are not like that. They spiritually enrich a person, motivate them to think and even change. Watch high-quality Orthodox films and you will see this. We offer our readers a selection of five feature films - from Tarkovsky to Lungin.
Island (2006)
Director: Pavel Lungin
Duration: 1:54:52
We have heard about the elders one way or another, but to imagine what their looks or looked like everyday life, very hard.
The Orthodox film by Pavel Lungin “The Island” tells the story of the fate of the holy fool Anatoly, who has been living in a monastery somewhere in the North for more than 30 years. He is perspicacious, but tries to hide his gift behind his eccentricities.
People who come to the “perceptive priest” mistake him for the elder’s cell attendant. Father Anatoly supposedly goes to the elder for advice, but in reality he hides his gifts from everyone. He denounces a pregnant girl who came to receive a “blessing for an abortion”; he tells the widow that her husband was captured during World War II and is now in France. With prayer he heals a boy on crutches and the admiral's possessed daughter.
Like a real holy fool, Father Anatoly very wisely denounces his brothers. His life is surprising in its modesty: he sleeps in a copter, right on the coal, without a bed, almost never dines with his brethren, and privately asks God for forgiveness. What? Father Anatoly has one sin that does not give him peace. Let’s not spoil it, it’s better to watch the Orthodox film “The Island” for yourself, in which the main roles were played by Pyotr Mamonov (Elder Anatoly), Viktor Sukhorukov (abbot of the monastery - Father Filaret), Dmitry Dyuzhev (monk Job).
The film motivates you to think about your own life.
Pop (2009)
Director: Vladimir Khotinenko
Duration: 2:03:34
The directorial work of Vladimir Khotinenko lifts the curtain on the history of the Church during the war. In 1941 - early 1944, the priests of the Baltic states tried to revive religious life - the so-called Pskov Orthodox mission operated.
Through the story of one rural priest, the fate of people in the occupied territories is revealed. War, devastation, the Germans kill someone’s last cow, in one family they shoot a girl who resisted violence. The local priest, Father Alexander, together with his mother, support and raise orphaned children. Among them is a girl from a Jewish family who believed and wanted to be baptized (she was played by Liza Arzamasova).
But not only disasters were associated with the arrival of the Germans. Thanks to them, Orthodox churches are being revived. Christian life Things are getting better in the village, but not for long. The power will change, and the priest will have to undergo a 30-year trial in the camps...
Khotinenko’s film is Russian Orthodox cinema in a refined form (Christian themes are closely intertwined with the history of the Great Patriotic War). But historians criticize Khotinenko for superficiality and tendentiousness. But to a wide circle The audience, primarily believers, liked the film. Largely thanks to deep experiences and good actors(Sergey Makovetsky, Nina Usatova, Liza Arzamasova, Kirill Pletnev, Anatoly Lobotsky).
Cure Fear/Luca (2013)
Director: Alexander Parkhomenko
Duration: 1:47:10
Doctor. Artist. Priest. Bishop. Saint. Luka Krymsky, in the world - Valentin Feliksovich Voino-Yasenetsky (1877-1961), in Soviet era known as a professor, doctor of medical sciences, author of “Essays on Purulent Surgery” and laureate of the Stalin Prize. But this is only one side of the coin.
On the other hand, there is an Orthodox saint, a victim of Stalin’s repressions, who spent 11 years in exile, a bishop of the Orthodox Church, the author of the theological works “Spirit, Soul and Body” and “Science and Religion.”
His life, thoroughly saturated with antonymous irony, secular recognition and rejection of the atheistic system, looks like an Orthodox movie.
A family doctor and father of four children, after the death of his wife, becomes a priest and takes monastic vows. Born in sunny Crimea, he is serving exile in the Arctic. For achievements in medicine he receives the Stalin Prize, and for his religious beliefs he receives a ticket to Stalin’s camps. In his medical practice, he cures many from severe eye diseases, and he himself recent years bishop loses his sight, but still continues to serve.
Despite the number of videos about the life of the saint and surgeon, it is Alexander Parkhomenko’s film, in which the main roles were played by Vitaly Bezrukov (St. Luke) and Ekaterina Guseva (Voino-Yasenetsky’s prematurely deceased wife), that deserves everyone’s attention.
First of all, this Orthodox film is highly appreciated by believers, but it will also be interesting to “doubters” and neophytes.
For My Name (2005)
Director: Maria Mozhar
Duration: 0:27:45
Sometimes it feels like you experience half your life in 27 minutes. If you are familiar with this feeling, then you have probably seen the Orthodox film “For My Name.” This film describes the life of a post-war village. At the center of the action is a little orphan girl. She is a child of concentration camps. Her mother gave birth to her from a German policeman during her imprisonment, and she soon died.
A five-year-old girl does not understand why there is so much hatred towards her: local children tease and beat her. Only the priest, Father Alexander, sheltered the child. When the priest asked the girl what her name was, she sincerely answered: “Fascist” (that’s how the kids teased her). Nobody called her by name.
After this, the priest christened her Anna - in honor of her mother. For the first time, the girl felt that she was loved and cared for: they fed her, sewed dresses, made a doll out of straw...
But the day comes when they come for the priest. Father Alexander accepts everything calmly. To reassure the women, he says that he is going for a reward. What kind of reward could a priest go for at that time? But the father did not deceive. For what reward? If you haven't guessed it yet, remember the name of this Orthodox film.
The title is reminiscent of the Gospel warning of the apostles who are facing persecution:
...and you will be hated by everyone because of My name; he who endures to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22).
Find 27 free minutes in your schedule and be sure to watch the movie. Despite some mistakes and inconsistencies historical era, asceticism of shooting and lack of famous actors, the tape deserves attention. You can’t immediately say that this is not a film by a venerable director, but course work VGIK student Maria Mozhar.
Andrei Rublev/The Passion of Andrei (1966)
Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
Duration: 3:26:50 (full version)
It is already 50 years since the release of Andrei Tarkovsky’s masterpiece film, which became the face of Orthodox cinema and world cinema.
Tarkovsky managed to make not just a historical drama, but a film for the ages. The world of medieval Rus' and the worldview of the main character opens before the reader’s eyes. Very few reliable facts from the life of the amazing icon painter have survived to this day, but Tarkovsky is trying to reveal the image of the hero as much as possible.
From the monologues of Rublev (played by Anatoly Solonitsyn) we hear reflections on love and holiness, truth and sin, temporality and eternity.
You can analyze the dialogue between Andrei Rublev and Feofan the Greek (Nikolai Sergeev) into individual quotes. And the scene of the crucifixion of Christ, transferred by Andrei’s consciousness from distant Israel to the Russian snowy outback, evokes, at a minimum, a deep emotional experience. Those who have seen the film understand what it is about. And for those who are still planning to watch, we won’t spoil it. You won't regret spending three hours.
You will probably see this film in any list of Orthodox films. But “Andrei Rublev” is known and appreciated regardless of country or religious affiliation. Professionalism and love for your work can be felt in every detail. In addition to Solonitsyn and Sergeev, the film also starred Ivan Lapikov, Nikolai Grinko, Nikolai Burlyaev, and Rolan Bykov and Yuri Nikulin appeared.