Sokurov's "Alexandra"

Alexandra
Famed Russian auteur Alexander Sokurov opens this year's SF International Film Festival with "Alexandra," one of his strongest and most accessible films to date. "Featuring a performance of monumental depth by opera legend Galina Vishnevskaya, 'Alexandra' presents war for what it is: brutal, crushing, and ugly, and yet Sokurov doesn't show any battles. These wounds are deeper, coming from the endlessness of a war (Chechnya, but also anywhere) that bleaches the soul as surely as Sokurov's striking trademark monochrome palette....The setting is Chechnya, and Alexandra's questioning of 'what is the Fatherland?' is an undeniable critique of that particular conflict, sure to make Vladimir Putin mighty uncomfortable. But Sokurov uses this one seemingly endless conflict to reflect upon the totality of the war experience, not in some superficial and sentimental way but by revealing the loss of basic humanity. Elderly, no-nonsense Alexandra Nikolaevna (Vishnevskaya) arrives at her grandson's army base after a long journey. She hasn't seen Denis (Vasily Shevtsov) in seven years; following the initial joy of meeting he takes her on a tour of the base, where she watches soldiers barely old enough to grow facial hair cleaning their guns. Later on Denis gives her a Kalashnikov to hold. 'It's so easy,' she says, surprise and unease in her voice, after she pulls the trigger....On paper it might be easy to imagine Alexandra as some wishy-washy, simplistic character: not at all. She's formidably solid, weakened physically by age but very much the kind of Russian woman burnished by WWII -- unsentimental and fearless. Vishnevskaya captures all this, and much more. A life of struggle and dignity emanates from every pore. Sure, she's Mother Russia, but she's every mother viewing the wasted lives of young men and wondering why."

NOTE: THIS FILM WILL SELL OUT QUICKLY. PLEASE BUY YOUR TICKETS WELL IN ADVANCE, online at www.sffs.org, or at the one of the two main ticket outlets, Sundance Kabuki Cinemas (1881 Post St. at Fillmore; Wed.-Sun. 4:30-8:30) or One Embarcadero Center (Lobby level; on Battery St. between Clay and Sacramento; Mon.-Sat. noon-7).

More information about the 51st San Francisco International Film Festival and directions: www.sffs.org

Admission is: $12.50 Adults, $11 Seniors and Students, $10 Members.

5:00 Meet at Grove Cafe (2016 Fillmore, between Pine and California) for coffee and conversation.

6:00 Walk to Sundance Kabuki Cinemas (188 Post at Fillmore) and take our position in the line for seating. The film starts at 7.

8:30 After the film we will walk a few blocks up Fillmore St. and meet again at Grove Cafe (2016 Fillmore) for conversation and refreshments.