Tuesday, June 19, 2012

ANTON CHEKHOV'S THE DUEL



The Tower Cinemas in Newcastle continue to impress in their dedication and excellence towards Arthouse programming. Not only are they hosting wonderful film festivals and specialised Opera, but they are consistent in bringing quality, independent films to Novocastrians.

Last night's advanced screening of Anton Chekhov's The Duel was no exception.

Set in the late 1800s in Cascasus, but filmed so very beautifully in Croatia, the drama surrounds the idle Laevsky and his live-in mistress, Nadya.

Early on a bored Laevsky confides in his older friend, Samoylenko, that after two years he is no longer attracted to Nadya, in fact he is unsure he ever was. However he has word that her husband has passed, and is concerned he will never be rid of her. Overwrought he keeps the news from her and is unsure how to proceed.

Whilst Nadya is unaware of this news, she is also bored, trapped, and seemingly exiled by those around her. Unhappy with these arrangements, and their lack of money, she is attracting many admirers in the small village with her flirtatious ways.

Von Koren, like many in the village, is observing this drama play out. He is a Zoologist, and annoyed at the useless and lazy Laevsky, and in a convoluted part of the plot that also includes money lending, and favours amongst villagers, he challenges Laevsky to a duel!

Is this his Darwinian ideal of survival of the fittest, or playing his part in the drama of the village, or simply a way to snap Laevsky into being?

I'll leave that for you to decide when you see the film for yourself!

Anton Chekhov's The Duel is a classic period drama and whilst the director, Dover Koshashvili is relatively unknown, the pedigree behind him is unmistakable. The superb cinematography by Paul Sarossy (Exotica, The Sweet Hereafter, and Affliction), gives the film a sensuous and serene atmosphere. One of the producers was Donald Rosenfeld, who has been behind films such as Howards End, The Remains of the Day and Surviving Picasso, and many Arts Documentaries.

The ensemble cast suits, with Andrew Scott - best known for playing Moriarty in the TV series of Sherlock - in the lead, playing Laevsky. His lackadaisical approach and overwrought hysteria to his 'drama' are equally striking and farcical. Fiona Glascott was luminous as the forlorn Nadya.

The Croatian setting is breathtaking, in particular some impressive caves. The costumes exquisitely detailed, especially the glorious array of millinery.

Anton Chekhov's The Duel is not for everyone, it's serene pace matches the time and beauty of the piece, and it's obsessive nature may bewilder some, but then there is The Duel at the end for a little bit of action. Lovers of Chekhov and period drama will not be disappointed. It is beautiful to watch, has a lovely sense humour with drama added for impact and a solid ensemble cast. You could enjoy it for this beauty or even take the time to ponder the deeper meaning of the film - was 'The Duel' really between Laevsky and Von Koren or indeed between Laevsky and Nadya?



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