In Search of Happiness

Colour, 35 mm
Russia, 2005, 54 min
WP – World premiere
Section: Documentary Films in Competition

Synopsis

This documentary comes out of a confrontation between past dreams and present-day realities for Soviet Jews inhabiting a Jewish Republic that Stalin set up in 1934, with the capital at Birobidzhan, Siberia. It brings to life scenes of the first settlers’ original enthusiasm and hard work, relating how the community grew into an autonomous social and cultural unit, though it was shaped by traditional ideas as well. The settler’s presence is felt even today in the largely depopulated enclave — most of their decendants emigrated to Israel. Old resident and survivor Boris Rak is an erudite and discerning guide to the singular world of one of the first Jewish kolkhozes. His kids live in Israel, yet despite his advanced age, he, his wife and his remaining fellow citizens preserve the well-established rhythm of the local community. Drawing on his own experiences, he comments on the past and present of the country in which he lives, as well as on the pressing problem of anti-Semitism.

About the director

Alexander Gutman (b. 1945) graduated from Leningrad Polytechnic (1968) and Moscow’s Film School (VGIK, 1978). Since 1971 he has been a cameraman for Moscow, Rostov, Leningrad, and Finnish television. As a cameraman he has shot over 100 films, and 13 as a director. He has won numerous awards at international (e.g. Tampere, Lisbon, Huesca, Pärnu, Houston, Ann Arbor, Brooklyn) and domestic festivals (Yekaterinburg, Moscow). Today he works with the St Petersburg Studio of Documentary Film. Selected filmography: The Russians Have Gone (Russkiye ushli, 1991), 1244, 1245, 1246 (1994), Up to the Neck or Bodybuilding (Telo bez golovy ili bodibilding, 1996), Three Days and Never More (Tri dnya i bolshe nikogda, 1998; Grand Prix at the Stalker FF in Moscow), Journey Back to Youth (Puteshestviye v yunost, 2003), Frescoes (Freski, 2004; Grand Prix at the Flahertyana FF in Perm), The Sunny Side of the Road (Solnechnaya storona trassy, 2004).