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Beanpoleis quite a departure from your first film,Closeness.
I also realized that no one in contemporary Russian cinema is addressing this issue.
Theres obviously something symbolic about how you present it here, since the war will never leave these people.
War doesnt end when the fighting ends.
More than that, I believe that post-war life is even harder than life during wartime.
And when the war is over, everything is much more complicated.
Were you aware of that controversy?
I was sure about that.
But I was afraid, because when you mix documentary and fiction, documentaries always win.
Did you reflect on these choices at all after making the first film?I thought about it.
InCloseness, the most brutal pain that was in that film was the layer of documentary in it.
Those were documentary images.
But I want to push the limits for myself.
I want to understand my borders, my ethical borders.
If we shoot something and I dont feel comfortable, theres a good chance that the scene is decent.
Whats the most disturbing image youve seen on film?The documentary footage I put inCloseness.
In fiction, I really have a strong stomach, you know?
But have you seen Kira MuratovasAsthenic Syndrome?
Theres a scene with dogs and it just … [Shakes head.]
And you should have doubts during the whole process.
You should doubt in yourself 24/7.
When did you first become interested in film?I remember my first VHS cassette.
It wasPulp Fiction.I was maybe 12, 13.
I was in shock.
Then Inarritu.Amores Perros,Babel,21 Grams.
Because he thought that if there is an Oscar sign, this is a good movie.
Thats how I sawSaving Private Ryan.Amazing.
I was so shocked.
Did you watch any Russian films at the time?No, I dont think so.
I watchedBrother 2by [Alexei] Balabanov, but I was already 16, maybe 15 by that time.
I never knew that I wanted to be a director, to be honest.
About 10 minutes each.
It took me one year of my life, and after that I decided I wanted something new.
I didnt know anything about him.
I sent him the links and he took me on the third year.
Is that series still on YouTube?No, I deleted it!
What was it like?It was like Tarantino.
A lot of blood.
It was so bad.
The actings so bad.
The directings so bad.
LikeCabinet of Dr. Caligari,Metropolis,M.Fritz Lang, Bresson.
When I saw the French New Wave, especially Godard, I was blown away.
And the old Godard, not the latest.Breathlessmade a lot of impact on me.
What are your favorite films and filmmakers now?Marcel Carne, Visconti,Bicycle Thieves.
The greatest experience I had recently was when I sawWandadirected by Barbara Loden.
I think this is my favorite female character right now, besides maybeBreaking the Waves.
Whats the Russian film industry like nowadays?For now, its all about Moscow.
Sokurov wanted to show the Moscow people that they have so many interesting stories in the small regions.
I think thats why I had some difficulties withCloseness.
I dont have the right to leave my region now.
And because of the Cannes prize forBeanpole, and that kind of thing, I feel more grounded.
I didnt feel that it would be easier to make my next one because of these prestige festivals.
I just got lucky, and I really appreciate thatBeanpolehad no government money.
I was 90 percent sure we wouldnt get government money because of the script.
If you got government money, what do you think would have happened?I dont know …
I always look back and take a stab at understand what theyre going to say.
Will they want me to cut some scenes?
Censorship is not a bad thing when it comes from yourself.
But when it comes from the government, its not a great idea.
The mother, whos a party official, seems to disdain Mashas wartime service at first.
