RELEASE DATE: MARCH 06 2008

DIR : Oksana Dvornichenko, Helga Landauer
75 Minutes

The greatest composer of the 20th century remains one of its biggest mysteries. Nine days of the ocean voyage from Moscow to New York comprise the nine chapters of this documentary film about Dmitry Shostakovich. Unique, highly personal fragments of the composer's life are contrasted with the ideologically charged propaganda of the Soviet liner's staged shipboard events. The film reveals the personality of the quiet, retiring man who disliked publicity but was obliged to serve as a Soviet public figure; a genius faced with the choice between artistic freedom and harsh ideology, between truth and survival. Shostakovich's music, full of dark sarcasm and breathtaking lyricism, exaggerated joy and frightening celebration, plays the leading part in the film .

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MEDIA REVIEWS

AUSTRALIAN MEDIA

The Sydney Morning Herald - George Palathingal

“...if you have more than a passing interest in classical music you will find much of this enthralling.”

"There is much to admire here. The footage... is often wonderfully evocative and the peeks we get at the man himself are compelling."

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

New York Magazine

"Surprisingly complex film... Recommended."

Village Voice

"A fascinating spectacle"

New York Press

"An unusual and strangely intriguing doc."

Variety - Jo Leydon

"...a soundtrack rich with selections from Shostakovich's masterworks."

Sharmill Snippits...

Sharmill Films is pleased to be distributing Ari Folman's critically acclaimed Waltz with Bashir, which recently premiered at the 2008 Festival de Cannes in Official Competition.

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