CULTURE The Minsk Times Thursday, June 7, 2012 9 Serious ideas intertwined with spectacular plot In late summer, Vitebsk’s historical centre is to become a film set — with shooting dedicated to the 20th century’s two greatest avant-garde painters: Marc Chagall and Kazimir Malevich Project of would-be synagogue in Vitebsk By Tamara Mitrokhina world knows of their devot- ed romantic love, floating Famous Russian director through Vitebsk heavens. Alexander Mitta has written The director is yet to the script for the new film. disclose who will play the He is already known for a lead roles but shooting is to host of wonderful films: begin in late July-early Au- Shine, Shine, My Star; How gust. Tsar Peter the Great Married According to Mr. Mitta, off His Moor; The Crew; The chief artist Eduard Galkin Border. Taiga Romance. is conjuring up the Vitebsk The new film bears a of the 1920s for the set ‘as poetic yet obscure work- if by jigsaw’. Naturally, all ing title: A Miracle Play must be done within a strict about Chagall. Of course, budget. “How can we create miracle plays were medieval the world of Chagall with- mystery plays exploring out his pictures? Of course, the miraculous lives of the they will be in the film! saints. The initial title was However, his family asks Commissioner Chagall and for 2,600 Euros each time Citizen Malevich but the one of his paintings appears International Chagall Com- on camera. Fortunately, we mittee insisted that the title have reached a compromise should be changed before it of a 50 percent discount (or would approve the script. even more),” he tells us. Mr. Mitta admits that the The premiere will take title may yet change again, place in Vitebsk, Chagall’s having chatted with Vitebsk BELTA native town. Mr. Mitta journalists. During a visit to Marc Chagall Museum hopes that he can do justice Combining serious ideas in the film. The plot’s villain methods to try and ‘win’ would bring his execution, not evident in the artist’s to the beauty of this ancient with spectacular plots is Al- (‘a provincial Robespierre’ her, involving Chagall’s Bella agrees to betray him. biography, since there was settlement, saying “Vitebsk exander Mitta’s trademark. as Mitta calls him) falls in family in blackmail. Finally, Mr. Mitta admits that no such ‘love triangle’ in the is a dynamic, cheerful city, He reveals that art critique love with Chagall’s wife Bel- to save her husband from the events in the film are en- life of Chagall and his muse full of life, which I hope will and melodrama will collide la. He employs underhand a political article which tirely fictional and certainly Bella. In fact, the whole be obvious from the film.” Splendid performance full of Playing unique acting and beautiful dancing instrument with Famous ballet inspired by Chekhov’s story staged at real inspiration Belarusian Bolshoi Theatre for the fi rst time Belarusian Artem Shishkov nia, Poland, Russia and Ukraine. Th e National Academic Bolshoi wins ‘Violin’ prize at Queen He took second place at the Inter- Opera and Ballet Th eatre recently pre- Elisabeth Music Competition in national Torun 2007 Violin Com- miered its Anyuta — based on Anton Belgium petition (dedicated to the memory Chekhov’s Anna on the Neck. Known as Th is year saw the 75th jubi- of Karol Szymanowski), hosted by the ballet ‘most inspired by Chekhov’, it lee of the competition, with Ar- Poland, and at Austria’s Johannes was prepared by world famous dancer tem Shishkov winning the ‘Violin’ Brahms International Competition, and choreographer Vladimir Vasiliev. nomination for Belarus. Over four in 2006. In 2012, he claimed third Th e People’s Artiste of USSR and Rus- rounds, 78 musicians performed prize at Germany’s International sia and a laureate of many prestigious brilliantly, presenting the best world Max Rostal Competition. awards, including the State Awards of traditions in fi ne music. Just twelve Artem is also a laureate of the the USSR and Russia, was even named entered the fi nals, representing Be- Special Presidential Fund for the ‘Best Dancer in the World’ by the Paris Scene from Anyuta ballet larus, Albania, Russia, Belgium, Support of Talented Young People Dance Academy. ated a stage version of Anyuta, which Chekhov’s characters. Th ese images South Korea, Japan, China, the USA, and receives sponsorship from the Curiously, the fi rst performance of premiered at the Bolshoi Th eatre in are wonderful,” adds Mr. Vasiliev, hop- Canada and the Czech Republic. Six Vladimir Spivakov International Anyuta took place in May 1982 — not Moscow several months later. It has ing that Anyuta’s premiere on the Be- were awarded prestigious awards Charity Foundation. He is part of on stage but for Soviet TV. Outstand- been a success there ever since, going larusian stage won’t break the pleasant and have entered the elite of world the Lipkind Quartet and has per- ing ballerina Yekaterina Maximova on to be staged in Riga and across Rus- tradition. Audiences are sure to leave violin playing. formed at musical festivals across took the lead role of Anna. Th e fi lm sia, appearing in most repertoires. enlightened — as happens in all thea- Artem is a graduate of Professor Europe. was a great success, purchased by On the eve of the premiere in tres where the ballet is performed. Eduard Kuchinsky, having studied Th e Belarusian Culture Ministry 114 countries, and was widely broad- Minsk, Mr. Vasiliev told journalists Mr. Vasiliev is joined by Honoured at the Belarusian State Academy of and the Belarusian State Academy cast. Th e fi lm was the joint work of that Anyuta is unique in always being Artist of Ukraine and Russia Victor Music, and is a postgraduate of the of Music have provided Artem with Vladimir Vasiliev and director Alex- accompanied by success. As the years Ploskina, the conductor-director, and University of Music and Perform- the opportunity to play a unique ander Belinsky, who also wrote the pass (this May, it celebrates its 30th an- Honoured Figure of Arts of Russia ing Arts (Vienna, Austria), having violin craft ed by Andrea Guarneri, script, using Leningrad composer niversary of being premiered on TV) Rafail Volskie; they are responsible for studied with Dora Schwarzenberg in 1673. It was bought with funds al- Valery Gavrilin’s score. interest only grows. set design and costumes. Th e show since 2010. Artem has won prestig- located by Belarusian sponsors and In 1986, at the request of the Royal “Th is performance boasts the main features leading soloists from the Bela- ious contests in Belarus, Austria, the Artem helped select it from London’s Th eatre of St. Charles, Mr. Vasiliev cre- thing: acting and dancing inspired by rusian Bolshoi ballet company. Czech Republic, Germany, Lithua- Florian Leonhard Fine Violins..