Home | Movies By Year | Movies from 1998
Of Freaks and Men
Buy Of Freaks and Men now from AmazonFirst, read the Wikipedia article. Then, scroll down to see what other TopShelfReviews readers thought about the movie. And once you've experienced the movie, tell everyone what you thought about it.
Wikipedia article
'Of Freaks and Men' is a 1998 Russian film directed by Aleksei Balabanov.
Synopsis
In the beginning of the twentieth century, two seemingly prosperous families become associated with the mysterious Johann, the owner of a photo studio, in the basement of which a certain photographic theater honouring the Marquise de Sade was created. Photographic postcards are produced with the humbled nakedness of the human body, causing lust and gloating triumph of power. Johann has the look of a photographer who knows how to see angel curls and a sweet smile in a girl, and the same look that corrupts the body, the look of a pornographer. Over and over again, Johann destroys the well-being of families and turns ordinary people into freaks, seized with vice.
Premise
Filmed initially in black and white, then entirely in sepia tone, this film set in turn of the century Russia is centered on two families and their decline at the hands of one man, Johann, and his pornographic endeavours. Hailed by some as a masterpiece, the movie comments on the decline of Russian society as a result of the rise of capitalism.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack is taken from Prokofiev's ballet, Romeo and Juliet; and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.
Awards
At the 1998 Russian Guild of Film Critics Awards the picture was awarded the prizes for 'Best Director' (Alexei Balabanov), 'Best Director of Photography' (Sergei Astakhov), 'Best Art Direction' (Vera Zelinskaya), 'Best Male Actor' (Sergei Makovetsky) and 'Best Supporting Actor' (Maksim Sukhanov).
At the Nika Awards the film received the prizes for 'Best Film' and 'Best Director' (Alexei Balabanov).
See also
*List of post-1960s films in black-and-white
*Sadism and masochism in fiction
References
Buy Of Freaks and Men now from Amazon
<-- Return to movies from 1998