THE BOAR
Russia, 2005
ASDS studios
Mystical thriller, 8 parts
«The Boar» project is based on the historical facts. In the 1920’s, the Bolshevik leaders showed deep interest in all kinds of the occult, the mystical background of Tibetan Buddhism in particular. This theme is reflected in a number of episodes involving a historical figure, Baron Ungern von Sternberg, who was trying to establish a so-called Mid-Empire during the Civil war, employing Mongol and Buryat forces.
The action in the film is set in 1921 in parallel with year 1974. The year 1921 in the Far East was the time of the Asian division operation commanded by Baron Ungern von Sternberg – a figure both remarkably prominent and sinister at the same time. The Baron claimed that the «decline of Europe» had been caused by the venom of the world Jewry. His point was to oppose Asia, untouched by this pernicious force, to the dying Europe. Aided by Mongol bayonets, Ungern wanted to bring Europe back to the state of «moral and spiritual health».
In the Soviet/Russian cinema the Baron’s character was screened just once before, in «His Name is Sühbaatar» (1942) by Iosif Heifits (Dmitry Svetozarov’s father). In the film about the leader of the Mongol revolution there was the enemy personage – Baron Ungern, whose part was played by Nikolai Cherkasov.
The events of 1974 take place in the village of Pustyryi in Moscow region, on the territory of an elite hunting preserve, frequented by men of supreme power. In this village there is a secret laboratory headed by scientist Belyavsky (Rudolf Kuld), who fought on the side of Baron von Ungern, and former secret service officer Paskevich (Alexander Filippenko). For decades they have been labouring to create a preparation granting eternal life; to that end they transplant ageing Kremlin leaders’ brain tissue into the bodies of young boys. The village is notorious for the mutant Boar roaming the vicinity in search of live flesh. People disappear without a trace.
Post-graduate student Sergei Guschin (Sergei Peregudov), who is doing a research on Baron Ungern von Sternberg, comes to Pustyryi. He intends to find old huntsman Obrubkov (Yuri Kuznetsov), who is said to have known the Baron in person. The hero finds himself in a «black field» of tragic and mystical events. Waiting for him ahead is the struggle against invisible opponents, the encounter with a true love, the fight with the mutant Boar, and the Baron’s mystery.
Says director Dmitry Svetozarov: «I interpret the main character, post-graduate Sergei Guschin, as a dissident personage. Immersing himself in the life of the carefully guarded village, my hero revolts at the laws ruling in this place and, in a broader sense, in the society of the time.»
Conception
Mysticism, suspense and fiction, combined with absolute reality of historical figures and events, render this project unusual and keen. Mystical background of the plot adds the necessary colours to the story.
Dmitry Svetozarov: «For me, «The Boar» is a story providing an analysis of this country’s recent past and the Soviet-period society. Life in Pustyryi seems to be modelled upon the society of Brezhnev’s stagnation period, when the causes of its consequent rapid decline were laid down.»
Dmitry Svetozarov is known as the director ‘discovering’ new film stars. Those include Mikhail Porechenkov, Igor Lifanov, Sergei Bekhterev, Andrey Krasko, and others. Likewise, in «The Boar» the director «wagered» on the new faces. Starring in the leading roles are young St. Petersburg actors Sergei Peregudov (Sergei Guschin) and Svetlana Schedrina (Nastya). «Fresh blood» is complemented by the renowned masters: Yuri Kuznetsov (Obrubkov), Alexander Filippenko (Paskevich), Leonid Nevedomsky (Marshal), Lika Nevolina (Yevdokiya Petrovna), and others.
Shooting
The atmosphere of suspense and horror will be created by the endless marshy semi-swamp, semi-steppe in Leningrad region: this is the way these places look in early spring. On-location scenes of 1974 are being shot in Taitsy, a small town near St. Petersburg, and the «Mid-Empire» sequences will be shot on Karelsky isthmus. As they have already done before, the authors of the film will resort to computer graphics provided by the «Behemoth» studio headed by Oleg Kondratyev. The task of special effects specialists can be set in just two words: the Boar. On the one hand, computer animators will have to deal with a living creature. On the other hand they will have to keep in mind that this mutant Boar, with its fangs and eyes of fire, is the victim of an experiment in brain transplantation. A live boar, kept in a sty near Priozersk, will serve as a model of the monster.
Appearing in the film will be soldiers of the Asian division, Mongol lamas and Buryat shamans. The biggest crowd scene is the «kamlany» – an act of divination taking place in a shaman hut, with scores of characters dressed up in ethnic Buryat costumes. Several rail cars of props, including a genuine yurt, were ordered in Ulan-Ude for the shooting.
The project authors make emphasis on the military costume to convey the epoch atmosphere. Grigory Minayev, who is involved in the project, is an expert on military and historical costume. All his works look original in every minute detail: buttons, shoulder-belts, straps, etc. Especially remarkable is Ungern’s uniform, which is scrupulously reconstructed according to the available photographs of the real person.
Name of the actor to play Baron Ungern’s part is not disclosed for the time being. It will become known before the summer shooting start in Karelia.
Music
Musical score for «The Boar» will be provided by cinema composer Andrey Sigle. He and director Dmitry Svetozarov are tied by years-long friendship, a hundred of film parts, and creation of the joint film studio, ASDS (the producers initials), which is shooting this series.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
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