Larisa

The sad demise of Russian director Larisa Shepitko in a tragic car accident with members of her crew deprived Russian as well as world cinema of meaningful films. All that remains of her cinematographic oeuvre are four feature films and some other minor works. "Larisa" is her husband director Elem Klimov's (1933-2003) tribute to his wife as an artist who held very high standards of art and integrity in her works. She is seen quoting her teacher great Russian director Alexander Dovzhenko who never compromised as an artist. This biographical short film starts with a lot of visual images featuring Larisa Shepitko.How dear Larisa Shepitko was to her actors is depicted in scenes wherein some actresses narrate how fortunate they consider themselves for having acted in her films. How crucial is the collaboration between a writer and a director is illustrated by Russian writer Valentin Rasputin who described how he maintained a great deal of 'spiritual affinity' with Larisa Shepitko. It was this feeling which drove his reluctance of not having his book turned into a film.Lastly,a point about women as better film makers was narrated by Larisa Shepitko herself as she states that women are best artists to depict certain sentiments.

When Elem Klimov's wife (herself an important director) died suddenly in a road accident he was obviously devastated. This tribute to her reflects his emotional farewell to her through the medium they both loved, and includes a powerful montage of moments from some of her films (like The Ascent)... which in Klimov's hands becomes part of his overwhelming testament of loss. You can almost feel his tears on each frame of this film, which is a moving work of art in it's own right. Larissa is never self indulgent, and manages to be private and public, sad and, somehow, glorious at the same time.

Alongside Come and See, this is probably Klimov's best - and certainly most personal- film.