DbcultAccessing Vault...
Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: Soviet Union
A Deep Dive into the 1929 Vision of Arnold Kordyum
Deciphering the layers of Jalma (1929) reveals a monumental shift in Drama filmmaking spearheaded by Arnold Kordyum. With its avant-garde structure and atmospheric tension, offering layers of thematic complexity that demand repeated viewing.
In Jalma, Arnold Kordyum pushes the boundaries of conventional narrative. The film's unique approach to its subject matter has sparked endless debates and interpretations among cinephiles and critics alike.
To fully appreciate Jalma, one must consider the cinematic climate of 1929. During this period, Soviet Union was undergoing significant artistic shifts, and Arnold Kordyum was at the forefront of this Drama movement, often challenging established norms.
| Cinematography | Static |
| Soundtrack | Synth-Heavy |
| Editing | Rhythmic |
| Art Direction | Naturalist |
Visualizing the convergence of Arnold Kordyum's style and the core Drama narrative.
Civil war in the Caucasus. Ukrainian Nikolai Barabash is wounded in battle. He is saved, cured and loved by a Chechen girl called Dzalma. After the war, Nikolai and Dzhalma return to his native Ukrainian village. Part of the villagers, the elders, hostilely greet the young Muslim woman, this "non-Christian soul".
Decades after its release, Jalma remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Arnold Kordyum's status as a master of the craft in Soviet Union and beyond.