Of Freaks and Men (Russian: Про уродов и людей, romanized: Pro urodov i lyudey) is a 1998 Russian historical comedy-drama film written and directed by Aleksei Balabanov.
Contents
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 Marquis 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.
Cast
Dinara Drukarova as Lisa Radlova
Sergei Makovetsky as Johann Kehl, owner of a photo studio
Vadim Prokhorov as Putilov, young photographer working for Kehl
Viktor Sukhorukov as Viktor Ivanovich, Johann's henchman
Alexander Mezentsev as Dr Stasov, the Siamese twins' adoptive father
Lika Nevolina as Ekaterina, Dr Stasov's blind wife
Alexey Dyo and Chinghiz Tsydendambaev as Kolya and Tolya, the Siamese twins
Igor Shibanov as Engineer Radlov, Lisa's father
Darya Jurgens as Grunya, Radlov's housemaid and mistress and Johann's sister
Tatyana Polonskaya as Darya
Richard Bogutsky as the notary
Olga Straumit as Johann's nanny
Boris Smolkin as the photographer
Ilya Shakunov as the man in the show-window
Yuri Galtsev as the impresario
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).