The Barber of Siberia
Encyclopedia
The Barber of Siberia is a 1998 Russian film
that re-united the Academy Award winning team of director Nikita Mikhalkov
and Michel Seydoux
. It was screened out of competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival
.
), a beautiful American lady, writes to her son, a cadet at a famous military academy
, about a long kept secret.Twenty years ago she arrived in Russia to assist Douglas McCracken (Richard Harris
), an obsessive engineer who needs the Grand Duke's patronage to sponsor his invention, a massive machine to harvest the forests. On her travels, she meets two men who would change her life forever: a handsome young Andrei Tolstoy (Oleg Menshikov
) with whom she shares a fondness for opera, and the powerful General Radlov who is entranced by her beauty and wants to marry her. Tolstoy and Radlov, much to the surprise and indignation of the latter, become rivals for Jane's love. She confides a deep secret to Tolstoy, promises to marry him, and together they spend a passionate night of love. But later he overhears Jane denying her interest in him to the General. Distraught, Tolstoy attacks the General who arrests his young rival on false charges and banishes him to Siberia. To 7 years of hard labor and 5 years of isolation.
Cinema of Russia
The cinema of Russia began in the Russian Empire, widely developed under the Soviet and in the years following the fall of the Soviet system, the Russian film industry would remain internationally recognised...
that re-united the Academy Award winning team of director Nikita Mikhalkov
Nikita Mikhalkov
Nikita Sergeyevich Mikhalkov is a Soviet and Russian filmmaker, actor, and head of the Russian Cinematographers' Union.Mikhalkov was born in Moscow into the distinguished, artistic Mikhalkov family. His great grandfather was the imperial governor of Yaroslavl, whose mother was a Galitzine princess...
and Michel Seydoux
Michel Seydoux
Michel Seydoux is a French businessman and movie producer. He also serves as the president and chairman of French club Lille OSC. Seydoux is the grandson of scientist Marcel Schlumberger and has two brothers; Jérôme and Nicolas. Jérôme is a shareholder on football club Olympique Lyonnais.-External...
. It was screened out of competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival
1999 Cannes Film Festival
The 52nd Cannes Film Festival was held on May 12-23, 1999. The Palme d'Or went to the French-Belgian film Rosetta by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne.-Jury:* David Cronenberg * André Téchiné * Barbara Hendricks...
.
Plot summary
Jane Callahan (Julia OrmondJulia Ormond
Julia Karin Ormond is an English actress who has appeared in film and television and on stage.-Early life and education:...
), a beautiful American lady, writes to her son, a cadet at a famous military academy
Military academy
A military academy or service academy is an educational institution which prepares candidates for service in the officer corps of the army, the navy, air force or coast guard, which normally provides education in a service environment, the exact definition depending on the country concerned.Three...
, about a long kept secret.Twenty years ago she arrived in Russia to assist Douglas McCracken (Richard Harris
Richard Harris
Richard St John Harris was an Irish actor, singer-songwriter, theatrical producer, film director and writer....
), an obsessive engineer who needs the Grand Duke's patronage to sponsor his invention, a massive machine to harvest the forests. On her travels, she meets two men who would change her life forever: a handsome young Andrei Tolstoy (Oleg Menshikov
Oleg Menshikov
Oleg Evgenyevich Menshikov ; is a Russian entertainer. He is a film and theatre actor, singer and director. He started his film career in the early 1980s playing in the comedy Pokrovskie vorota and in Nikita Mikhalkov's Rodnya....
) with whom she shares a fondness for opera, and the powerful General Radlov who is entranced by her beauty and wants to marry her. Tolstoy and Radlov, much to the surprise and indignation of the latter, become rivals for Jane's love. She confides a deep secret to Tolstoy, promises to marry him, and together they spend a passionate night of love. But later he overhears Jane denying her interest in him to the General. Distraught, Tolstoy attacks the General who arrests his young rival on false charges and banishes him to Siberia. To 7 years of hard labor and 5 years of isolation.
Cast
- Julia OrmondJulia OrmondJulia Karin Ormond is an English actress who has appeared in film and television and on stage.-Early life and education:...
- Jane Callahan - Richard HarrisRichard HarrisRichard St John Harris was an Irish actor, singer-songwriter, theatrical producer, film director and writer....
- Douglas McCracken - Oleg MenshikovOleg MenshikovOleg Evgenyevich Menshikov ; is a Russian entertainer. He is a film and theatre actor, singer and director. He started his film career in the early 1980s playing in the comedy Pokrovskie vorota and in Nikita Mikhalkov's Rodnya....
- Andrei Tolstoi - Aleksei Petrenko - General Radlov
- Marina NeyolovaMarina NeyolovaMarina Neyolova is a Soviet and Russian film and theater actress. She has appeared in 37 films since 1969.-Selected filmography:* Monologue * Errors of Youth * Autumn Marathon * The Barber of Siberia...
- The mother of Andrei Tolstoi - Vladimir IlyinVladimir Adolfovich IlyinVladimir Adolfovich Ilyin is a Russian actor. He was awarded People's Artist of Russia in 1999.-Selected filmography:-External links:...
- Captain Mokin - Daniel OlbrychskiDaniel OlbrychskiDaniel Olbrychski is a Polish actor best known for leading roles in several Andrzej Wajda movies and also known for playing the Russian defector and spymaster Vassily Orlov, alongside Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie in the movie Salt....
- Kopnovsky - Anna Mikhalkova - Douniacha
- Marat BasharovMarat BasharovMarat Basharov is a Russian film actor. He has appeared in 30 films since 1994. He starred in the film The Wedding, which was entered into the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.-Selected filmography:* The Barber of Siberia...
- Polievsky - Nikita Tatarenkov - Alibekov
- Artyom Mikhalkov - Buturlin
- Georgiy Dronov - Cadet Nazarov (as Yegor Dronov)
- Avangard Leontyev - Andrei's Uncle
- Robert HardyRobert HardyTimothy Sydney Robert Hardy, CBE, FSA is an English actor with a long career in the theatre, film and television. He is also an acknowledged expert on the longbow.-Early life:...
- Forsten - Elizabeth SpriggsElizabeth Spriggs-Early life and career:Born in Buxton, Derbyshire as Elizabeth Jean Williams, Spriggs had an unhappy childhood and grew up entirely without affection, particularly from her distant, domineering father, a master builder and farmer. She studied at the Royal College of Music and taught speech and...
- Perepyolkina - Nikita MikhalkovNikita MikhalkovNikita Sergeyevich Mikhalkov is a Soviet and Russian filmmaker, actor, and head of the Russian Cinematographers' Union.Mikhalkov was born in Moscow into the distinguished, artistic Mikhalkov family. His great grandfather was the imperial governor of Yaroslavl, whose mother was a Galitzine princess...
- Tsar Alexander IIIAlexander III of RussiaAlexander Alexandrovich Romanov , historically remembered as Alexander III or Alexander the Peacemaker reigned as Emperor of Russia from until his death on .-Disposition:...