Russian master Aleksandr Sokurov
(THE SUN, RUSSIAN ARK, MOTHER AND SON) has produced another majestic achievement
with ALEXANDRA. In a rare instance of working from his own original script,
Sokurov tells the simple tale of a woman in the twilight of her life who embarks
on a special journey. As the story unfolds, Sokurov's deeper purpose is
revealed, resulting in a work that speaks profoundly about the corrosive nature
of war. Opera star Galina Vishnevskaya is Alexandra. She hasn't seen her
grandson in seven years and, understanding that her life is coming to an end,
she decides to visit him at his army camp in war-torn Chechnya. What at first is
a beautiful reunion gradually becomes conflicted, as Alexandra is forced to
accept the painful realization that she may no longer be the most important
figure in her grandson's life. Furthermore, the strain the war is placing on
these young men, combined with their restrictive conditions, is even harder for
her to bear. When her grandson must return to work, Alexandra floats around the
camp, having brief but profound interactions with many different soldiers. While
these exchanges vary from the humorous to the dramatic, there is a striking
purity and simplicity to Sokurov's overall vision--not to mention Vishnevskaya's
unforgettable, heartbreaking performance--that makes ALEXANDRA feel universal
and profound.
