In Focus: New Europe

The Red Soul

Jessica Gorter
Screening time  
26.02. / Monday, 15:00 - 17:00 Theatre 1  
03.03. / Saturday, 18:00 - 20:00 Theatre 4  
In the country where hardly any family escaped the hunger, fear and violence resulting from Stalin’s terror, no one has ever been convicted for the crimes committed under his regime.

Is Stalin a hero who led the Soviet Union to victory? Or can he be held responsible for the millions of victims who died during his reign? Even now, more than 50 years after the death of Joseph Stalin, Russians are still deeply divided over how to deal with the memories of this painful past. In a mosaic of intimate portraits ordinary Russians, both young and old, speak openly about their traumas, rooted in a violent history. Tales of pain alternate with tales of pride. Nostalgic stories of a state flourishing under the Communist ideal contrast with painful memories of hunger, violence and betrayal. Not infrequently these conflicting views can be found in one and the same person. Gradually this intriguing film exposes how the Soviet past lives on in current generations in Russia, and thus makes its mark on the future.

Jessica_gorter

Jessica Gorter

Jessica Gorter graduated as a documentary director and editor at the Dutch Film and Television Academy in Amsterdam. Shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union she travelled to St. Petersburg. She was gripped by the silent revolution taking place there and has been closely following the development of the country and its inhabitants ever since. Her first feature documentary is Piter (2004) followed by 900 Days (2011. The Red Soul (2017) is her latest documentary.

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The Red Soul

Netherlands
2017, 90'

Directed by:
Jessica Gorter

Screenplay by:
Jessica Gorter, Marieke van der Winden

Cinematography:
Sander Snoep

Edited by:
Danniel Danniel, Bobbie Roelofs

Music:
Rutger Zuydervelt

Producers:
Frank van den Engel, Oksana Maksimchuk, Judith Vreriks

Produced by:
Zeppers Film & TV

Festivals & Awards:

IDFA 2017