"Dmitri Shostakovich: Sonata for Viola"
1981
Directed by Semyon Aranovich/
Alexander Sokurov

Widely regarded as the definitive document on one of the 20th century's most important composers, this documentary on Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was begun by Semyon Aranovich and later shaped and edited by Alexander Sokurov, who gave the film its complex emotional mood. Sokurov famously clashed with Soviet authorities over his interpretation of the material, which resulted in the film being banned upon completion. Miraculously preserved from the hands of the KGB who wanted it destroyed, the film serves as a tragic requiem for an enormously gifted composer and pianist. Russian with English subtitles.  75 minutes.