Children of the Age

Children of the Age 1915

4.70

The picture tells the story of Maria, a devoted wife of a bank employee. The couple has a cozy life; they have a baby but he is cared for by their maid so Maria can spend her time doing terrific things like going shopping. During one of these consumer afternoons, Maria meets by chance an old friend, Lidia, who will introduce her to exclusive idle class social circles. Soon Maria's beauty attracts the interest of Lebedev, a rich old libertine. From that point on Maria suffers continual sexual harassment (worthy of inclusion in any silent film encyclopedia article on beleaguered heroines) which she resists for a time. In the end, however, she falls into his bourgeois claws.

1915

Mirages

Mirages 1916

5.00

Marianna advertises for work as a reader and is employed by the reclusive millionaire Dymov. Appreciative of her sensitive, artistic nature, and of her youthful innocence and purity, Dymov is protective of Marianna and shields her from the attentions of his philandering playboy son. Marianna confesses to her fiancé Sergei that, at times, she feels deeply conflicted, drawn by the seductive lure of wealth and luxury. When her protector Dymov dies, his son begins to pursue her. Can Marianna resist her attraction to the opulent lifestyle that Dymov's son offers?

1916

A Life for a Life

A Life for a Life 1916

5.40

Wealthy Mrs. Khromova has a natural daughter, Musya, and an adopted daughter, Nata. The merchant Zhurov is in love with Nata, and hopes to marry her, but she is non-committal.

1916

Defence of Sevastopol

Defence of Sevastopol 1911

4.50

First film ever that was shot by two cameras. Set in 1854-1855, in Sevastopol and Yalta during the Crimean War. Admirals Kornilov (Mozzhukhin) and Nakhimov (Gromov) organize the defense during the siege of Sevastopol. Both admirals are killed during the battle, and the city of Sevastopol is taken by the alliance of British, French, Sardinian, and Turkish troops. The legendary feat of Sailor Koshka (Semenov) was staged at original location. The 100 minute-long film was premiered in 1911 at the Livadia, Yalta, palace for the Tsar Nicholas II.

1911

The Cameraman's Revenge

The Cameraman's Revenge 1912

7.00

A jilted husband takes his revenge by filming his wife and her lover and showing the result at the local cinema. This was one of Starewicz' first animated films, and stars a cast of animated beetles.

1912

The Dying Swan

The Dying Swan 1917

6.50

After being betrayed by her playboy lover, a heartbroken mute young woman joins a ballet company; during a performance of “The Dying Swan,” she enraptures a painter obsessed with portraying death genuinely.

1917

Idiot

Idiot 1910

1

An adaptation of the Dostoyevsky novel.

1910

After Death

After Death 1915

6.20

Young scholar Andrei, fascinated by haunting actress Zoia Kadmina, is surprised when she sends him a note. The two have a brief scheduled meeting, then three months later Andrei is shocked to learn she has died. He becomes obsessed with Zoia's memory and decides he must find out all that he can about her.

1915

The Night Before Christmas

The Night Before Christmas 1913

5.10

Based on Gogol's story. It is Christmas Eve, and the town witches’ son, a blacksmith, seeks an honest marriage to his love who wishes for a pair of shoes fit for the Tsarina. A mischievous devil is trapped into providing service to the smith.

1913

Twilight of a Woman's Soul

Twilight of a Woman's Soul 1913

6.00

Despite living in luxury, Vera is lonely and discontented. When she accompanies her mother, the Countess, on a charity visit to the poor, she is troubled by what she sees, and she resolves to do whatever she can to help them…

1913

The Draconian Contract

The Draconian Contract 1915

1

The waiter Antosha is in love with the restaurant owner's daughter. This distracts Antosha from his work and the owner is going to fire him. The notary appears and informs the owner that Antosha is receiving a large inheritance. He sets up a three-year contract with Antosha which, In the event of its early termination, the owner receives a large amount. Drunk, Antosha signs the contract, and the next day he becomes rich. Antosha wants to quit right away, but after seeing the contract, he remains to work. At night, he leads the luxurious life of a rich man. The owner of the restaurant is trying this way and that to fire Antosha. But he manages not only to avoid being fired, but also to marry his daughter.

1915

Sorrows of Sarah

Sorrows of Sarah 1913

5.00

This film captures a stage production at Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, accompanied by the choir of Moscow Synagogue. Brothers Isaak and Borukh are both in love with Sarra, but Sarra chooses Isaac and they got married. However, Sarra could not conceive for ten years, and their Rabbi tells them that according to Jewish law, they must divorce. Isaak's parents push him to sign the divorce paper, then their Rabbi drops the divorce paper to Sarra's feet. She tells Isaac about her grief, and Isaak commits suicide. Soon after-wards, Sore realizes that she is pregnant, but she is now single.

1913

Mermaid

Mermaid 1910

4.50

"Rusalka" or "Mermaid" based on Pushkin, an opera by Dargomizhsky, and other sources: A prince and a miller's daughter have been involved in a romance together, but now the prince tells her that he must break it off. After the prince leaves, the distraught young woman attempts to drown herself. When the prince's wedding day arrives, he is tormented by her image, which appears wherever he goes. Eventually, he is compelled to return and to try to find out what happened to her, regardless of the consequences.

1910

For Happiness

For Happiness 1917

6.20

Since Zoya Verenskaya's husband passed away ten years ago, she has been devoted to her daughter Lee. At present, Lee is in poor health, and she is in danger of losing her eyesight. Zoya's suitor Dmitry wants to get married, but Zoya is determined to wait until Lee is better. Then, on a vacation in the Crimea, they learn Lee's true feelings for Dmitry, and suddenly all of their lives are thrown into turmoil.

1917

The King of Paris

The King of Paris 1917

5.90

This film was the last work of Yevgeni Bauer. At work on the film previous, For Happiness («За счастьем») Bauer broke his leg, and he shot his last film while in his chair, but soon fell ill with pneumonia. He began shooting in early summer of 1917. But he was soon placed in Yalta hospital and 9 June 1917 he died.

1917

At Midnight in the Graveyard

At Midnight in the Graveyard 1910

1

A group of young people made a bet, according to the terms of which they had to visit a cemetery at midnight.

1910

The Insects' Christmas

The Insects' Christmas 1913

6.80

A Father Christmas ornament climbs down from a decorated tree, and goes to the forest. There he creates and decorates a Christmas tree for the forest creatures. He then invites all the insects, along with a friendly frog, to come and enjoy the gifts he has prepared, and to celebrate Christmas.

1913

The Grasshopper and the Ant

The Grasshopper and the Ant 1913

5.70

An ant works to prepare for winter while a drunken grasshopper plays his violin and dances away his time. When the snow arrives, the grasshopper pleads with the ant for shelter and is turned away to die.

1913