My Apprenticeship

Plot

My Apprenticeship continues the autobiographical journey of young Maxim Gorki (Aleksei Lyarsky) as he navigates the harsh realities of life in late 19th century Russia. After leaving his grandparents' home, the adolescent Gorki works various jobs including as an apprentice in a shoe workshop, a dishwasher on a Volga steamboat, and a helper in an icon-painting studio. Throughout these experiences, he encounters a diverse cast of characters who shape his understanding of human nature and social injustice. The young Gorki begins to develop his revolutionary consciousness and literary aspirations, observing the suffering and resilience of the common people. The film culminates with Gorki's decision to pursue education and knowledge, setting the stage for his eventual emergence as one of Russia's most influential writers.

Historical Background

My Apprenticeship was produced during a pivotal moment in Soviet history, just before the outbreak of World War II. The film emerged during the height of Stalin's regime, when socialist realism was mandated as the official artistic style. The choice to adapt Maxim Gorki's autobiography was politically significant, as Gorki had been officially canonized as the founder of socialist realism in literature. The film's depiction of pre-revolutionary Russian society served to justify the Soviet system by highlighting the oppression and suffering that existed under the Tsarist regime. The trilogy's production also coincided with the Great Purge (1936-1938), making its themes of social injustice particularly relevant to contemporary audiences. The film's international release was part of Soviet cultural diplomacy, showcasing the achievements of Soviet cinema to the world while promoting the Soviet narrative of historical progress.

Making Of

The production of My Apprenticeship was a major undertaking for Soviet cinema, requiring extensive research into 19th-century Russian life. Director Mark Donskoy spent months studying Gorki's original texts and consulting with historians to ensure period accuracy. The casting of Aleksei Lyarsky as the young Gorki was particularly significant, as Donskoy searched extensively for an actor who could capture both the physical appearance and emotional depth of the future writer. The filming on the Volga River presented unique challenges, as the production team had to recreate the steamboat atmosphere using actual period vessels. The shoe workshop scenes were filmed in a reconstructed facility using traditional tools and methods of the era. The film's production coincided with the Soviet Union's push for socialist realism in all arts, influencing both the visual style and narrative approach. Despite these ideological constraints, Donskoy managed to create a work that retained artistic integrity while serving state cultural objectives.

Visual Style

The cinematography of My Apprenticeship, handled by Pyotr Yermolov, is notable for its expressive use of light and shadow to create emotional depth. The film employs a naturalistic visual style that contrasts with the more stylized approach common in Soviet cinema of the period. The Volga River sequences feature sweeping landscape shots that emphasize both the beauty and harshness of the Russian environment. Interior scenes in the workshops and studios are lit to create a sense of confinement and oppression, using chiaroscuro effects to highlight the psychological states of the characters. The camera work includes innovative tracking shots that follow the young Gorki through crowded streets and markets, creating a sense of his journey through society. The film's visual language balances realistic detail with poetic imagery, particularly in scenes where Gorki observes the world around him with growing awareness.

Innovations

My Apprenticeship showcased several technical innovations for Soviet cinema of its era. The film employed advanced location sound recording techniques for the Volga River sequences, which was particularly challenging given the acoustic limitations of 1930s equipment. The production utilized newly developed film stocks that allowed for better reproduction of the muted color palette of pre-revolutionary Russia. The workshop scenes featured innovative camera movements that captured the intricate processes of traditional crafts, requiring specially designed camera rigs for tight spaces. The film's restoration in the 1970s pioneered techniques for preserving nitrate-based Soviet films from the 1930s. The production also experimented with natural lighting techniques in interior scenes, moving away from the heavily artificial lighting common in Soviet studio productions of the period.

Music

The musical score for My Apprenticeship was composed by Lev Shvarts, who created a soundtrack that blended traditional Russian folk themes with classical orchestration. The music serves to enhance the emotional journey of the young protagonist while maintaining the film's historical authenticity. The score features prominent use of Russian folk instruments, including balalaikas and gusli, to ground the film in its cultural context. The soundtrack includes several revolutionary songs of the period, carefully selected to reflect Gorki's growing political consciousness. The music avoids the overtly bombastic style common in Soviet propaganda films, instead opting for a more subtle and emotionally resonant approach. The score was recorded by the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, with particular attention to creating authentic period sound for the workshop and street scenes.

Memorable Scenes

• The young Gorki working in the shoe workshop, observing the master craftsman's skill and the workers' exploitation
• The steamboat journey on the Volga, where Gorki encounters diverse characters and learns about the vastness of his country
• The icon-painting studio scene, where Gorki discovers the power of art and religious imagery
• The emotional farewell to his grandfather, representing his final break with childhood
• The night scene where Gorki reads his first book by candlelight, symbolizing his intellectual awakening

What Critics Said

Contemporary Soviet critics praised My Apprenticeship as a masterpiece of socialist realism, with particular acclaim for its faithful adaptation of Gorki's work and its powerful social message. Pravda hailed the film as 'a triumph of Soviet art' and praised Donskoy's direction for its 'profound understanding of the people's struggle.' Western critics, while noting the film's propagandistic elements, recognized its artistic merits; The New York Times called it 'a moving portrait of youth's struggle for meaning in a harsh world.' Modern film scholars have reevaluated the trilogy as a complex work that transcends its ideological origins, with many noting its innovative cinematography and powerful performances. The film is now studied in film schools as an example of how artistic vision can survive within restrictive political systems. Recent retrospectives have highlighted the trilogy's influence on subsequent biographical films and its role in establishing conventions for the genre.

What Audiences Thought

My Apprenticeship was enormously popular with Soviet audiences upon its release, with theaters reporting sold-out showings for weeks. The film resonated particularly with working-class viewers who saw their own struggles reflected in Gorki's journey. The trilogy became required viewing in Soviet schools and was regularly shown at workers' clubs and collective farms. International audiences responded positively to the human story despite the political elements, with the trilogy achieving notable success in Europe and the United States. The film's emotional power and visual beauty transcended language barriers, making it one of the most successful Soviet exports of its era. Modern audiences at revival screenings continue to be moved by the film's portrayal of youthful idealism and social consciousness. The trilogy has maintained its popularity in Russia, where it is still broadcast on television and screened in retrospectives as a classic of Soviet cinema.

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