Maria 1988
Aleksandr Sokurov's poignant documentary portrait *Maria (1988)* pays tribute to Maria Semionovna Voinova, a Russian peasant whose life unfolds like a fading memory across two contrasting chapters.
Director: Aleksandr Sokurov
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maria (1988) about?
This documentary traces the life of Maria Semionovna Voinova, a Russian peasant, split into two chapters. The first captures her vibrant summers filled with labor and moments of joy, while the second, set years later, reflects on her end in stark, somber tones.
Who directed Maria?
Maria was directed by Aleksandr Sokurov, the acclaimed Russian filmmaker known for his introspective and visually poetic approach to storytelling.
Who stars in Maria?
The film centers on Maria Semionovna Voinova, portrayed through documentary footage and interviews that shape her story.
Is Maria (1988) worth watching?
For fans of slow, contemplative cinema, Maria offers a deeply human and atmospheric experience. Though unrated and short in runtime, Sokurov's masterful direction and themes of time and memory make it a compelling watch for documentary enthusiasts.
How long is Maria?
The runtime of Maria is 40 minutes.
About Maria (1988) — Sokurov's Poetic Requiem for a Russian Peasant Woman
Aleksandr Sokurov's poignant documentary portrait *Maria (1988)* pays tribute to Maria Semionovna Voinova, a Russian peasant whose life unfolds like a fading memory across two contrasting chapters. The first half blooms in vibrant color, capturing the warmth of a summer in rural Soviet Russia—haymaking, river baths, flax fields, and a fleeting Crimean holiday—all framed as a lyrical celebration of existence. Nine years later, the film shifts to stark black-and-white, tracing the quiet, elegiac final chapter of Maria's journey with solemn dignity.
Sokurov crafts a visual requiem that lingers on the textures of time and mortality, blending pastoral beauty with a melancholic undertone. The documentary transcends mere biography, becoming a meditation on the passage of life, the weight of memory, and the quiet heroism of ordinary people. It's a film that invites reflection, its emotional resonance lingering long after the final frame.