Kino Russian Film Pioneers
29 April - 26 June
The British Film Institute in Southbank, in partnership with Academia Rossica, is celebrating the widely influential origins of Russian cinema by launching their new season: Kino Russian Film Pioneers. The main attraction is the extended screenings of the newly restored, original version of Battleship Potemkin. Fans of these early films will know all too well the restrictions placed by the British censors, with Potemkin banned in Britain until 1954 and its delayed premiere creating frenzy throughout the country.
The BFI is also giving the British public the chance to see another highly regarded yet controversial film that was banned in Britain, Bed and Sofa; exploring a wide range of topics which still have relevance to modern society, the film is sure to prove popular with today’s audiences.
But it is not just the single genre of drama that will be explored during this season, the flipside comedy The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr West in the Land of the Bolsheviks; the film gives a rare insight into the time period as it satirises western fear.
Along with film screenings the BFI are having introduction days to give the opportunity to film loves to discover different aspects and learn more of these Russian pioneers.
See www.bfi.org.uk for details on all 19 films showing as part of the season.