Lieutenant Kizhe

Plot

In 18th century Russia during the reign of Tsar Paul I, a military scribe makes a copying error that transforms the Russian phrase 'the lieutenants, however' (поручики же) into what appears to be a name: 'Lieutenant Kizhe' (поручик Киже). When the temperamental Tsar reads this document, he becomes obsessed with meeting this mysterious Lieutenant Kizhe. The terrified courtiers, unwilling to admit the mistake to the volatile monarch, invent an entire life and career for the non-existent officer, even promoting him through the ranks and arranging a marriage. Kizhe becomes the perfect scapegoat for every mistake at court, taking blame for disasters while receiving honors for successes. The absurd situation escalates until the Tsar demands to meet Kizhe in person, forcing the courtiers to confront the consequences of their deception.

Historical Background

Lieutenant Kizhe was produced in 1934, during a critical period in Soviet history. Stalin was consolidating his power, and the First Five-Year Plan was transforming Soviet society. The film industry was being brought under strict state control through Goskino, and Socialist Realism was being established as the only approved artistic style. Despite these constraints, 1934 marked a brief period of relative creative freedom in Soviet cinema before the stricter controls of the late 1930s. The film's setting in the 18th century during the reign of Tsar Paul I allowed for a safe critique of bureaucracy and authoritarianism - themes that resonated with contemporary Soviet audiences but were disguised as historical commentary. The film emerged during the transition from silent to sound cinema, and its innovative use of Prokofiev's score demonstrated how Soviet filmmakers were embracing the new artistic possibilities of sound.

Making Of

Director Alexandr Faintsimmer was primarily known as a theater director before making this film, his second feature. The collaboration with Prokofiev was groundbreaking - the composer attended filming sessions and wrote music that was intricately tied to the visual narrative. The casting of Mikhail Yanshin as Tsar Paul I was inspired, as the actor brought his extensive stage experience in playing eccentric characters to the role. The film's production coincided with the Soviet Union's transition to sound cinema, and the filmmakers experimented with new techniques in sound design. The most challenging aspect was portraying the invisible Lieutenant Kizhe - solved through clever camera angles, reactions from other characters, and empty uniforms. The film was shot at Lenfilm studios in Leningrad, with elaborate period costumes and sets designed to evoke 18th century Russian court life. Despite the historical setting, contemporary audiences clearly understood the parallels to Soviet bureaucracy.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Andrei Moskvin employed innovative techniques for the time, particularly in depicting the invisible Lieutenant Kizhe. Moskvin used creative camera angles, focus pulls, and composition to suggest Kizhe's presence without showing him. The visual style emphasized the rigid formality of the 18th century court through symmetrical compositions and carefully staged scenes. The film used chiaroscuro lighting to create dramatic contrasts, especially in scenes involving the temperamental Tsar. The camera work was more dynamic than typical Soviet films of the era, reflecting Faintsimmer's theater background and understanding of visual storytelling. The period sets and costumes were photographed with meticulous attention to detail, creating an authentic historical atmosphere that contrasted with the absurdity of the plot.

Innovations

Lieutenant Kizhe was technically innovative for its time, particularly in its approach to sound design and music integration. The film was one of the first Soviet productions to demonstrate how sound could be used creatively rather than just as accompaniment. The technical challenge of depicting an invisible character was solved through innovative camera techniques and sound design. The film's synchronization of Prokofiev's complex score with the visual action was groundbreaking for early Soviet sound cinema. The production used advanced recording techniques for the time to capture the orchestral score with clarity. The film also demonstrated sophisticated editing techniques in its comedy sequences, using timing and rhythm effectively. The costume and set design created an authentic 18th century atmosphere while allowing for the comedic elements of the story.

Music

The soundtrack by Sergei Prokofiev is one of the most celebrated aspects of the film and represents one of the composer's earliest and most successful film scores. Prokofiev wrote original music that was intricately tied to the narrative, using leitmotifs for characters and situations. The Kizhe theme is particularly notable - a playful, slightly absurd melody that represents the nonexistent lieutenant. Prokofiev's score was groundbreaking in how it used music to advance the plot and develop characters, rather than simply accompanying the action. The composer later extracted five movements from his score to create the Lieutenant Kizhe Suite, Op. 60, which became more famous than the film itself and remains a popular concert piece. The suite includes 'The Birth of Kizhe,' 'Romance,' 'Kizhe's Wedding,' 'Troika,' and 'The Burial of Kizhe.' The film's soundtrack represents an important milestone in the history of film music, demonstrating how composers could use the medium to create substantial artistic works.

Memorable Scenes

• The scene where the courtiers first realize they must create a physical presence for the invisible Kizhe, using empty uniforms and clever staging to suggest his existence
• Kizhe's 'wedding' scene where an empty military uniform is married to a confused bride, highlighting the absurdity of the situation
• The Tsar's increasingly frustrated attempts to meet Kizhe, culminating in his demand to see the non-existent officer
• The final scene where Kizhe is 'promoted' to general and given an elaborate funeral, with the courtiers maintaining the fiction to the end
• The opening scene in the scribe's office where the fatal copying error occurs, setting the entire absurd plot in motion

What Critics Said

Contemporary Soviet critics praised the film for its wit, visual style, and especially Prokofiev's innovative score. Pravda and other official newspapers gave it positive reviews, noting its successful blend of comedy and social commentary. International critics who saw the film at early screenings were impressed by its sophisticated satire and technical polish. In later decades, film historians have recognized Lieutenant Kizhe as a masterpiece of early Soviet cinema, particularly praising its use of music as a narrative device. Modern critics often highlight the film's daring satire and the way it managed to critique bureaucracy within the constraints of the Soviet system. The film is frequently cited in studies of film music due to Prokofiev's groundbreaking score, which demonstrated how music could carry narrative weight in cinema.

What Audiences Thought

Lieutenant Kizhe was popular with Soviet audiences upon its release, who appreciated its clever humor and recognized the satirical commentary on bureaucracy despite the historical setting. The film ran successfully in theaters across the Soviet Union and was particularly popular in Leningrad where it was produced. Audiences connected with the absurdity of the bureaucratic situation and the clever ways the courtiers tried to manage the nonexistent Kizhe. The film developed a cult following over the years, with Soviet film enthusiasts regarding it as a classic of the era. The enduring popularity of Prokofiev's score helped keep the film in public consciousness even when it wasn't widely screened. Modern Russian audiences still appreciate the film for its wit and historical significance, and it's regularly shown at film festivals and retrospectives of Soviet cinema.

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