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ABOUT THE FILM

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ACADEMIC USE

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DIRECTOR Q&A

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CONTACT

Information and purchase options for

academic and institutional screenings:

The story of how Pushkin became everything is the story of Russia.

This film is an intimate journey into Russian history, culture, society, politics and literature. In Russia, all of these are interconnected, and this film transports viewers to Russia to see for themselves.

The film introduces viewers to fascinating Russian people in their homes and places of work, including:

    • a renowned sculptor in his Moscow studio
    • a creative director at a hip advertising agency in St. Petersburg
    • the director of the Mayakovsky Museum in Moscow
    • a third-grade teacher in her classroom
    • a Buryatian family and their friends in their small town on the 
Russian-Mongolian border
    • a contemporary Russian poet and screenwriter in her apartment 
on the outskirts of St. Petersburg
    • the director of Pushkin’s home in St. Petersburg, Moika 12, in Pushkin’s book-filled study

    The film was shot at multiple locations in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tsarskoe Selo, and Buryatia. It’s a journey that opens a window on real life in Russia.

    Details

    Film length
    Language

    72 min.
    English and Russian with English subtitles

    Streaming option available upon request

    Streaming can be arranged in most cases for educational purchases after purchasing the Educational Edition DVD.

    Contact to request streaming option.

    License

    The Academic Edition for Colleges, Universities and Institutions is licensed for public performance rights for non-theatrical educational use only. View academic license.

    For classes and community organizations interested in Russian culture, literature and society, the film is the perfect tool for engaging audiences and organizing discussions about what makes Russia Russia.

    Some of the schools and institutions that have screened the film:

    University of Southern California

    Claremont McKenna College

    Pomona College

    Case Western Reserve University

    Wellesley College

    Harvard University

    Duke University

    University of Glasgow

    Pushkin House, London

    Russian Cultural Centre, Washington, D.C.

    Museum of Russian Art, Minneapolis, MN

    New York Russian Documentary Film Festival

    Follow your screening with a Q&A session with director Michael Beckelhimer, online or in person.

    Michael has led many post-screening discussions about Pushkin and Russia, on topics such as:

    • His experiences traveling, studying and working in Russia over the last 30 years
    • What passions drew him to the topic of this film
    • Observations on contemporary Russian society and the role of literature
    • Insights from making a film in Russia
    • Engaging personal stories about the fascinating people in the film

    Contact director Michael Beckelhimer for additional information and for any inquiries.