Composer

:

Alfred Schnittke

Genre

:

Film

Style

:

Film Score

Compose Date

:

1967

"The Commissar" is a Soviet film directed by Aleksandr Askoldov, which was completed in 1967 but was banned by the Soviet government until 1988. The film is based on a short story by Vasily Grossman and tells the story of a female Red Army commissar who is forced to stay with a Jewish family during the Russian Civil War. The film explores themes of identity, motherhood, and the impact of war on civilians. The film's soundtrack was composed by Alfred Schnittke, a prominent Soviet composer known for his avant-garde style. The score features a mix of traditional Russian folk music and modernist techniques, including dissonant harmonies and unconventional instrumentation. Schnittke's use of music in the film is particularly effective in creating a sense of tension and unease, reflecting the turmoil of the time period. The premiere of "The Commissar" was delayed for over 20 years due to its controversial subject matter and the Soviet government's strict censorship policies. When the film was finally released in 1988, it was met with critical acclaim and won several awards at international film festivals. The film is divided into three movements, each of which corresponds to a different stage in the protagonist's journey. The first movement introduces the commissar, Vavilova, as she is sent to a small Jewish village to oversee the Red Army's operations. The second movement focuses on Vavilova's experiences living with a Jewish family, including her interactions with the family's matriarch, who is pregnant with her 13th child. The final movement sees Vavilova forced to confront her own identity and beliefs as she faces the realities of war. Overall, "The Commissar" is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores complex themes through the lens of a single character's journey. Schnittke's score is an integral part of the film's success, adding depth and emotion to the story and helping to create a sense of unease that lingers long after the credits roll.

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