Shows
A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNOIRVEMBER SPECIAL: Not Russian, a novel by Mikhail ShevelevCameron Lallana of The Slavic Literature Pod joins host Ally Pitts for a special episode on this short but hard-hitting novel about a Russian journalist whose life is thrown into chaos when a figure from his past suddenly comes back into his life as the leader of a terrorist group. The premise sounds run-of-the-mill, but the execution is anything but as the situation causes our protagonist to dig into his memories of the past few decades to try to figure out what has happened to Russian society during that time.
Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode:
2025-11-302h 03
The Slavic Literature PodNot Russian by Mikhail Shevelev (w/ Ally Pitts, host of A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast)Show Notes:This week, Ally Pitts — host of A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast — joins Cameron to talk about the book Not Russian by Mikhail Shevelev. The book follows veteran journalist Pavel Vladimirovich as an old friend’s sudden reappearance at the head of a terror attack forces him to reflect on his history as a Russian journalist and how things turned out this way. You can find Ally on his Twitter @Alistair_Pitts and on Instagram under @ally_pitts_movies_etc. You can find A Russian & Soviet Movie podcast anywhere you listen to your...
2025-11-211h 53A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNEWS: Battleship Potemkin docks in The Light cinemas on Sun 26th Oct + more silent film screening news!And our host Ally Pitts is introducing the screening in Banbury! Sergei Eisenstein’s 1925 masterpiece finishes its centenary run in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on Sunday 26th October 2025 with screenings at The Light cinemas.
Those The Light locations are in: Addlestone, Bolton, Bradford, Cambridge, Huddersfield, New Brighton, Redhill, Sheffield, Sittingbourne, Stockport, Thetford, Walsall, and Wisbech.
The film is screening as part of The Light's Iconic strand.
Ally also mentions the musician Hugo Max's current UK tour accompanying the silent films Cabinet of Dr Caligari, Nosferatu, Häxan, and Der Golem for the spooky season....
2025-10-1905 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNEWS! Ally Pitts introduces Milton Keynes Gallery screening of Battleship PotemkinSergei Eisenstein’s 1925 masterpiece continues its centenary run in cinemas in the UK and Ireland in throughout September and October 2025. Since we published a mini-episode about this BFI season last week, our intrepid host has been confirmed as providing the intro to the screening at MK Gallery on Friday 26th September at 7pm. He's also in talks with The Light in Banbury, Oxfordshire about introducing it there too on Sunday 26th October!
Links:
https://www.bfi.org.uk/bfi-film-releases/battleship-potemkin
https://mkgallery.org/event/battleship-potemkin-12a/
https://banbury.thelight.co.uk/
...
2025-08-3101 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNEWSFLASH: Battleship Potemkin centenary screenings & Blu-ray releaseSergei Eisenstein’s 1925 masterpiece is in cinemas in the UK and Ireland in late August, and through September and October 2025.
UPDATE: Since this mini-episode was originally published, our intrepid host Ally Pitts has been confirmed as providing the intro to the screening at Milton Keynes Gallery on Friday 26th September at 7pm, and he's also in talks with The Light in Banbury, Oxfordshire to introduce it there too on Sunday 26th October!
Battleship Potemkin is also on the streaming service Klassiki with a score by Max Reinhardt & the Instant Orchestra.
Links mentioned/allud...
2025-08-2409 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNEWS: Ally Pitts curates Jane Austen 250th anniversary film season! Plus Whit Stillman tour, and podcast recommendations!Host Ally Pitts shares some news about a season of films adapted from or inspired by the works of Jane Austen that he has co-curated with the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford.
He also mentions Whit Stillman's UK tour in late July 2025. And Soviet Winnie the Pooh. Obviously.
Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode:
https://uppcinema.com/show_type/classic-season-jane-austen-250/
T. Hanks for the Memories Podcast: Bridge of Spies (2015) episode
The Social Minute: A Social Network minute-by-minute podcast
As If! A Clueless minute-by-minute podcast by Darren Hus...
2025-06-2905 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsBallad of a Soldier (Grigori Chukhrai; 1959)Matthew Chadourne, stand-up comedian, executive producer and creative director of the Oxford Comedy Festival, and co-host of the Saint Misbehavin' podcast joins host Ally Pitts to discuss this understated Oscar and Bafta-winning classic by Ukrainian-born World War II veteran Grigori Chukhrai.
Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode:
https://oxfordcomedyfestival.co.uk/our-acts
https://oxfordcomedyfestival.co.uk/shows
https://qedcomedylab.co.uk/saintmisbehavinpod
https://www.criterion.com/films/343-ballad-of-a-soldier
https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/201-ballad-of-a-soldier
https://www.criterion.com/shop/browse/list?sort=spine_numbe...
2025-06-082h 19A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNEWS: Tarkovsky’s Mirror in Oxford, PLUS Soviet cinema at PCC, and Hugo Max silent film screening tourHost Ally Pitts shares some news about a screening of Andrei Tarkovsky's Mirror that he'll be introducing on Sunday 25th May as part of the Dreamscapes classic season at Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford. He also shares news about screenings of Soviet films at the Prince Charles Cinema, and shares details of silent film screenings with live music by Hugo Max.
Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode:
Dreamscapes classic season at Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford
https://uppcinema.com/show_type/classic-season-dreamscapes/
Antifa on screen classic season at the UPP...
2025-05-1703 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNEWS: Come and See (Elem Klimov; 1985) 40th anniversary and Antifa on Screen season at the UPP in OxfordHost Ally Pitts highlights the 40th anniversary of Come and See, directed by Elem Klimov, shares news about a season of films on the theme of anti-fascism at the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford, and brings attention to a couple of other anti-fascist/anti-totalitarian/anti-cult of personality films.
Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode:
Antifa on screen at the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford
https://uppcinema.com/show_type/classic-season-antifa-on-screen/
Klassiki
For a 30-day free trial of the streaming service Klassiki: klassiki.online/arussiansovietmoviepodcast/
If you us...
2025-04-2706 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsWORLD SHAKESPEARE DAY BONUS: Boris Pasternak, Grand Theft Hamlet, Andrei Tarkovsky, Richard. E. Grant, the 'other' Stratford, and the BardHost Ally Pitts discusses the 2024 documentary Grand Theft Hamlet, directed by Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane, shares how Hamlet became his favourite Shakespeare play, and explores its connection to and influence on two of Russian culture's most famous figures, Boris Pasternak and Andrei Tarkovsky. And he talks about Withnail and I. Again. Not necessarily in that order.
Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode:
mubi.com/russiansovietpod
mubi.com/en/gb/films/grand-theft-hamlet
letterboxd.com/ally_pitts/list/my-mubi-recommendations-updated-regularly/
letterboxd.com/ally_pitts/list/my-genre-recommendations-documentary/detail/
podchaser.co...
2025-04-2311 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsINTERVIEW: Matthew Chadourne of the Oxford Comedy FestivalMatthew Chadourne, stand-up comedian, executive producer and creative director of the Oxford Comedy Festival, and co-host of the Saint Misbehavin' podcast joins host Ally Pitts to talk about his various comedy and movie-related projects.
This is designed to serve as an appetizer for an upcoming episode on Grigory Chukrai’s Ballad of a Soldier with Matthew as the guest, which will be released on this feed as soon as it's edited.
Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode:
https://oxfordcomedyfestival.co.uk/our-acts
https://oxfordcomedyfestival.co.uk/shows
https://qed...
2025-04-0647 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsFEED TAKEOVER: Flow (Gints Zilbalodis; 2024) with Kristaps Andrejsons of The Eastern BorderTo celebrate the Latvian film Flow winning the best animation category at the 2025 Oscars, Ally Pitts introduces an episode from previous guest Kristaps Andrejsons, which was originally published on his show, The Eastern Border.
Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode:
https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/a-russian-soviet-movie-podcast-594862/episodes/state-funeral-sergei-loznitsa-91766026
https://theeasternborder.lv/about
https://uppcinema.com/show/flow/
https://dukeslancaster.org/whats-on/cinema/flow-u
https://www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/13080/flow
Milton Keynes Gallery:
https://mkgallery.org/event/the-4-30-club-away-u/
https://mkgallery.org/event/fl...
2025-03-3021 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNEWS: Kinoteka Polish Film Festival 2025In your home and maybe in your town?
Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode:
All the links for a Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast you're ever likely to want or need: linktr.ee/russiansovietmoviepodcast
For a 30-day free trial of the streaming service Klassiki: https://klassiki.online/arussiansovietmoviepodcast/
If you use the code RUPOD50, you can get 50% off an annual subscription.
https://kinoteka.org.uk/programme
https://www.instagram.com/gulpfictionbooks/
https://letterboxd.com/ally_pitts/list/my-10-favourite-polish-films/
https://letterboxd.com/ally_pitts...
2025-03-0206 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNEWS: Soviet Silent Comedies at Slapstick Festival 2025 in Bristol PLUS podcast recommendationsHost Ally Pitts highlights several Soviet silent comedy films screening at Slapstick Festival 2025 in Bristol, UK, and makes some podcast recommendations.
Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode:
https://slapstick.org.uk/slapstick-festival-2025/
https://pamhutch.wordpress.com/about/
Pamela Hutchinson's podcast appearances
https://www.annabogutskaya.com/
https://gulpfictionbooks.com/
Streaming service free trials:
For a 30-day free trial of Klassiki: https://klassiki.online/arussiansovietmoviepodcast/
If you use the code RUPOD50, you can get 50% off an annual subscription.
...
2025-01-0503 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts2024 highlights & 2025 plansHost Ally Pitts looks back at some highlights of 2024 and looks ahead to 2025.
Note from Ally: Unfortunately, the audio for this episode is not up to the usual standard due to a mistake on my part. On balance I thought it was better to release it now as is rather than defer a week until I'd have time to re-record. Thanks for understanding, and please excuse the sound being a little rougher than I'd like on this occasion.
Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode:
Support the show and Ally's other movie-related...
2025-01-0509 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsINTERVIEW: Juliet Merchant, film composer & musicianComposer and musician Juliet Merchant joins host Ally Pitts to discuss some of the silent films she has written scores for.
At the time of recording, six of the films Juliet has composed scores for are available on the streaming service Klassiki, which is available in the UK, the US, and the Republic of Ireland.
Here’s a link to a 30-day free trial: https://klassiki.online/arussiansovietmoviepodcast/
If you use the code RUPOD50, you can get 50% off an annual subscription.
The films are:
Aelita: Queen of Mars (Yakov Protazanov; 1924)
2024-12-081h 23A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNEWS: Two Soviet silent film screenings in Nov '24Ally Pitts announces a screening of Lev Kuleshov’s By the Law; 3pm on Sunday 24th November '24 at the Barbican Cinema, and a screening of Sergei Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin at the Winter Gardens in Morecambe in Lancashire on at 7.15pm on Saturday 30th November '24.
Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode:
https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2024/event/silent-film-live-music-by-the-law
https://www.northernsilents.com/whats-on/battleship-potemkin-morecambe
https://www.northernsilents.com/silents-by-the-sea
Ally Pitts on The Top 100 podcast with Tim Coleman: Man with a Movie Camera (Dziga Vertov; 1929)
Conta...
2024-11-1706 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts100 years of Aelita: Queen of Mars (Yakov Protazanov; 1924) [classic episode re-release with new intro, outro and music]Classic episode re-release, featuring music by composer Juliet Merchant.
In this episode, originally released in August 2018, Sarah Roberts, artist and podcaster, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this early Soviet silent sci-fi adventure.
SPOILERS from about 16 minutes in until the end.
CONTENT WARNING: discussion of the film's depiction of abusive relationships and violence against women.
Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode:
Art by guest Sarah Roberts: https://sarahkathleenroberts.com/
Composer Juliet Merchant's live performance dates: julietmerchantmusic.com/
Ally Pitts on The Top 100 podcast with Tim Coleman: M...
2024-09-221h 19A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsAlexandra Exter, Aelita, and Modernist Art in Ukraine 1900-1930Host Ally Pitts shares news about two exhibitions running in 2024 that feature the work of artist Alexandra Exter. He also discusses a previous film covered on the podcast, Aelita, which she worked on as a costume designer and set decorator.
The Royal Academy of Art's exhibition is In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine from 1900 to the 1930s. That's in London and runs until 13th October 2024
The Ukrainian Museum's exhibition is Alexandra Exter: The Stage is a World. That's in New York City and is running from 27th September 2024 until 19 January 2025
...
2024-08-2407 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNEWS: Béla Tarr & Tarkovskian echoesHost Ally Pitts shares news about the BFI's Béla Tarr retrospective season Will Heaven Fall Upon Us?
Ally's local, the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford is one of the participating UK cinemas.
Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode:
Béla Tarr retrospective Season at the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford
For a 30-day free trial of the streaming service Klassiki: https://klassiki.online/a-russian-soviet-movie-podcast/
The Top 100 podcast with Tim Coleman
Peter Bradshaw's interview with Béla Tarr for the Guardian
https://www.criterion.com/film...
2024-07-2107 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNostalgia AKA Nostalghia (Andrei Tarkovsky; 1983)International(?) man of mystery Lyn Seren joins Ally Pitts to discuss Andrei Tarkovsky's penultimate film. We also talk about rückenfigurs and Milton Keynes artists Boyd & Evans a bit!
Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode:
International Association for Suicide Prevention’s directory: https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/
UK: https://www.samaritans.org/
US: https://988lifeline.org/
All the links for a Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast you're ever likely to want or need: linktr.ee/russiansovietmoviepodcast
For a 30-day free trial of the streaming service Klassiki: https://klassi...
2024-07-141h 25A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNEWS: Man with a Movie Camera, 60 years of Mikhail Kalatozov’s I am Cuba, and Oxford Meet-upsLinks mentioned in the episode:
The Top 100 Podcast with Tim Coleman: Man with a Movie Camera episode with Ally Pitts.
Saint Audio Podcast Festival line-up
Saint Audio Podcast Festival announcement episode.
I am Cuba, directed by Mikhail Kalatozov, screening at the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford.
At the time of recording, Salt for Svanetia is available to stream on Klassiki, which is available in the UK, the US, and the Republic of Ireland. If you use the code RUPOD50, you can get 50% off an annual subscription.
Jean-Pierre...
2024-05-1904 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsEVENT: The Saint Audio Podcast Festival, 23-26 May '24 in Oxford, UK!Saint Audio Podcast Festival is happening over the late May Bank Holiday Weekend (that's 23-26 May), in Oxford, UK! See you there, maybe?
Links mentioned in the episode:
Saintaudiopodcastfestival.com
Screening of Spice World (1997) at the Ultimate Picture Palace, presented by The Flop House podcast.
Contact us/socials:
(We've changed the name of the show, but the social handles are a bit of a mishmash).
Email: russophilesunite@gmail.com
Twitter (or 'X', if you really insist): @Russophiles
Instagram: instagram.com/russiansovietmoviepodcast/
Le...
2024-04-0703 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsFEED TAKEOVER: Ally guests on Projection Booth episode on Amphibian Man (Vladimir Chebotaryov, Gennadi Kazansky; 1961)Ally Pitts introduces an episode of The Projection Booth he guested on in 2022.
Links mentioned in the episode:
Listen to the rest of Ally's guest appearances on The Projection Booth.
Contact us:
(We've changed the name of the show, but the social handles are staying the same for now).
Email: russophilesunite@gmail.com
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/Ally_Pitts/
The platform formerly known as Twitter: @RussophilesU
Listen to Ally's other podcast appearances on Podchaser
2024-03-171h 46A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsEVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Alissa Timoshkina in conversation with Catriona Kelly on Russian Food Since 1800Professor Catriona Kelly will be discussing her new book Russian Food Since 1800: Empire at Table with previous guest on this show, Alissa Timoshkina at Pushkin House in London on Friday 15th March 2024.
It's an in-person & online hybrid event, which will from 6.30 to 8.00 pm GMT.
Find out more about the event and buy tickets at pushkinhouse.org
Our episode on Little Vera (dir. Vasily Pichul; 1988).
Contact us:
(We've changed the name of the show, but the social handles are staying the same for now).
Email: russophilesunite@gmail.com...
2024-02-1802 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsAlly's top 5 first-time watches of 2023In the spirit of High Fidelity, Ally Pitts brings you an audio listicle of some awesome movies he saw for the first time in 2023.
They are, in the order they appear on the episode:
- Conscience (Volodymr Denisenko; 1968)
- Fright Night (Tom Holland; 1985)
- Chameleon Street (Wendell B. Harris Jr; 1989)
- The Queen of Spades (Thorold Dickinson;1949)
- The Afterlight (Charlie Shackleton; 2021)
Honourable mentions to:
The Ascent (Larisa Shepitko; 1977)
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Ally's Letterboxd page
...
2024-01-2811 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNEWSFLASH: Tchaikovsky’s Wife (Kirill Serebrennikov; 2023) in UK cinemas Jan-Mar ’24Links mentioned in the episode:
Cinemas screening Tchaikovsky's Wife (UK and Republic of Ireland): sovereignfilms.co.uk/tchaikovskyswife
The Guardian's Pjotr Sauer interviews Kirill Serebrennikov
BBFC content advice for Tchaikovsky's Wife
To receive a 50% discount on an annual subscription to Klassiki, please use the code RUPOD50 at checkout.
Visit Klassiki.Online and sign up for a free trial!
Contact us:
(We've changed the name of the show, but the social handles are staying the same for now).
Email: russophilesunite@gmail.com
I...
2024-01-1404 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsMINI-REVIEW: Unclenching the Fists (Kira Kovalenko; 2021)Ally Pitts reviews Kira Kovalenko's 2021 Ossetian language coming of age drama Unclenching the Fists and then recommends a handful of other films currently streaming on MUBI.
Links mentioned in the episode:
To get a 30-day free trial of MUBI, please visit:https://mubi.com/russiansovietpod
Carmen Gray's article, Scarred States: Unclenching the Fists and the Art of Escape.
Podcast episode on Daughters of the Dust (Julie Dash; 1991), hosted by Spencer Seams & Joel Torres.
Contact us:
(We've changed the name of the show, but the social handles are s...
2023-11-2611 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsFEED TAKEOVER: Ninotchka (Ernst Lubitsch; 1939) with Ally Pitts - All the Best Lines episodeAlly Pitts introduces an episode of All the Best Lines, hosted by Smokey and Adam Roche, that he guested on in 2021.
Links mentioned in the episode:
Listen to more All the Best Lines episodes.
Listen to our episode on War & Peace with Adam Roche.
Listen to The Projection Booth on Ninotchka.
Contact Us:
(We've changed the name of the show, but the social handles are staying the same for now).
Twitter: @RussophilesU
Email: russophilesunite@gmail.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/russophiles_unite...
2023-11-051h 06
Ideal Practice#76. How to Hire Your First Virtual Assistant with Your Business Ally, Queenie VerhoevenIn our last episode, we talked about the many ways that adding a virtual assistant to your team can enhance your success. Did you hear that one? If not, you might want to go back and check out Episode 75 before you listen to this one. 🙂In that episode, you met my assistant, Queenie Verhoeven, who runs a company providing VA services to small businesses around the world. Queenie has been a critical part of my team for several years now; I can’t even imagine running a business without her. And I...
2023-10-1744 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsBONUS EPISODE: Ally’s Klassiki RecommendationsDr Samuel Goff, editorial director at the film streaming service Klassiki, joins Ally Pitts to talk about Ally's five film picks from the Klassiki film Library.
To receive a 50% discount on an annual subscription to Klassiki, please use the code RUPOD50 at checkout.
Visit Klassiki.Online and sign up for a free trial!
Follow Klassiki on:
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/klassiki/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052319903979
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klassiki.online/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Klassiki_Online
Some Ways...
2023-08-2048 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsPODCAST 5th ANNIVERSARY BONUS SHOW: Battleship Potemkin (Sergei Eisenstein; 1925) Classic Schmassic episode with Ally PittsTo mark the 5th anniversary of the release of the pilot episode for this show, we're taking you to on a trip into the show's pre-history...our host Ally Pitts's podcasting debut!
Classic Schmassic was an amazing comedy podcast about movies from before 1980. For this episode, Ally joined hosts Chris Mead & Owen Choules to discuss Sergei Eisenstein’s Battleship Potemkin and whether it lives up to its reputation.
You can find more about Chris and his work as an improv performer and teacher at chrismead.co.
Owen has been a guest on shows in...
2022-11-201h 08
On The House with SpartanEp. 14: Closing the Deal, ft. Ally PittsAlly Pitts is a Closing Coordinator at Spartan Invest and provides as a liaison for all clients when purchasing their new investment property. As a full-service turnkey provider, we really want this experience to be completely passive and as hands-free as possible. Our Closing Team makes that happen!Timestamps:0:53 - Who is Ally Pitts?2:56 - What are the biggest financing hurdles?5:33 - What do most investors get caught up on?8:07 - When should I lock in my rate?10:19 - Trust the processTranscript --To learn...
2022-09-2611 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsFEED TAKEOVER! SRB Podcast episode: The Stalinist Film IndustryAlly Pitts introduces a conversation between Sean Guillory and Maria Belodubrovskaya that was originally recorded for the SRB Podcast. Find it wherever you listen to this podcast.
Note: the SRB Podcast is now the Eurasian Knot.
There's also a brief update on what's happening with the show.
Also, Feedspot added us to their 100 best movie podcasts list, which is pretty awesome!
Contact Us:
Twitter: @RussophilesU
Email: russophilesunite@gmail.com
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/Ally_Pitts/
Find Ally's other podcast appearances at: https://www.podcha...
2022-09-2550 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsThe Lord Eagle (Eduard Novikov; 2018)Jenny Shelton from the RSPB discusses this historical drama from Yakutia with host Ally Pitts. The film centres around an elderly couple whose grueling but predictable life in rural Siberia in the 1930s is a disrupted by the arrival of mysterious bird of prey.
Episode Sponsor:
You can watch The Lord Eagle, along with many other films from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia on the streaming service Klassiki Online.
Read uk.bookshop.org affiliate store; 10% of the sale will go towards the running of the show, and another 10% will go towards...
2022-05-081h 22A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsStump the Guesser! (Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, Galen Johnson; 2020)Lyn Seren joins Ally Pitts once again, this time to discuss this surreal Canadian spoof of early Soviet film.
Some Ways You Can Support the Show:
First of all, please subscribe on your podcatcher of choice, if you haven't already!
At the time of recording, this film was on MUBI. At the time of this update (Nov '24) it isn't but try out MUBI for free for 30 days with our referral link anyway! www.mubi.com/russiansovietpod
Here are some recommendations! Ally's MUBI recommendations on Letterboxd
If you're listening f...
2022-01-2417 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNew Year 2022 Bonus EpisodeWhat else did Ally get up to last year when he wasn't recording Russophiles Unite episodes?
2022-01-1729 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsCarnival Night (Eldar Ryazanov; 1956)Carrie & Ally Pitts discuss a Khrushchev Thaw-era musical satirical comedy from the director of Soviet New Year staple The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!.
Some Ways You Can Support the Show:
First of all, please subscribe on your podcatcher of choice, if you haven't already!
If you're listening from the UK, you can pick up a book from our uk.bookshop.org affiliate store; 10% of the sale will go towards the running of the show, and another 10% will go towards supporting independent bookshops around the country.
There's also our w...
2021-12-2646 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsThe Lighthouse (AKA Mayak) (Maria Saakyan; 2006)Film historian and Hamo Bek-Nazarov Project co-founder Daniel Bird joins Ally Pitts to discuss this astonishing debut feature by the late Armenian-Russian director Maria Saakyan.
To celebrate the release of the new restoration the film on region-free Blu-ray, Second Run are offering 10% off the list price of The Lighthouse and/or any other Blu-ray or DVD on Secondrundvd.com. coupon code RUSSOPHILES at check-out. PLEASE NOTE: this discount covers the Blu-rays & DVDs at secondrundvd.com only, and does not apply to delivery charges. The offer is available until 28th April 2022.
Mayak is also streaming on M...
2021-11-302h 15A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsThe Lighthouse (AKA Mayak) (Maria Saakyan; 2006) Second Run Blu-ray Twitter Competition Terms & ConditionsThe Lighthouse [AKA Mayak] (Maria Saakyan; 2006) Blu-ray Giveaway on Twitter
A new restoration of Maria Saakyan’s stunning film The Lighthouse AKA Mayak is out on Blu-ray on 27th September 2021! To celebrate, we've teamed up with Second Run to give away 2 copies of the Blu-ray.
To enter:
1) Follow @RussophilesU & @SecondRunDVD on Twitter.
2) Retweet the tweet about the competition (You'll find it at this link).
3) Tag a friend in the replies, or in a quote tweet.
Terms & Conditions:
1. By entering into the competition, all en...
2021-09-2202 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsAnnouncement: Gentlemen Don't Get Caught, an R.E.M. Podcast, hosted by Ally Pitts & Lyn SerenAlly Pitts and Lyn Seren are hosting podcast where they discuss the music of alternative rock legends R.E.M. one track at a time. It's called Gentlemen Don't Get Caught, and we think you should listen to it!
You can find the show at this link.
2021-08-0802 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsSTATE FUNERAL (Sergei Loznitsa; 2019)Kristaps Andrejsons, journalist and host of The Eastern Border podcast, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this documentary which provides a startling insight into the cult of personality surrounding Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.
STATE FUNERAL is now showing on MUBI. You can claim your free 30-day trial of their incredible film streaming service by visiting:
https://mubi.com/russiansovietpod
- Ally's MUBI recommendations
CONTENT WARNING: In this episode, we discuss the violence of the Soviet state under Joseph Stalin.
If you're listening from the UK, you can pick up a copy o...
2021-05-211h 16A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsGorky Park (Michael Apted; 1983)Phil Manchester, former Moscow resident and pub quizmaster extraordinaire, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this adaptation of the first of Martin Cruz Smith's Arkady Renko detective novels, set in early 1980s Moscow.
CONTENT WARNING: The film includes violence and gore, including violence against women.
SPOILERS for both the book and the film (and indeed subsequent Renko books) from about 23 minutes in until the end.
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
Listeners in the UK can help the show by picking up a book from our uk.bo...
2021-05-031h 23A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsKhraniteli (Soviet TV version of The Lord of the Rings)Against their better judgement, Ally & Carrie Pitts decided to watch this extremely low-budget adaptation of JRR Tolkien's classic fantasy. Here are a few of their thoughts.
If you'd like to get in touch, it would be great to hear from you! Here are some ways you can do that:
Twitter: @RussophilesU
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Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/Ally_Pitts/
Find Ally's other podcast appearances at: https://www.podchaser.com/creato...
2021-04-1217 min
The Slavic Literature PodAnna Karenina Film Adaptations with Ally PittsShow Notes:This week, Matt and Cameron dive into several adaptations of Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina alongside Ally Pitts of the Russophiles Unite! Movie podcast. Although a bit different than our usual fare, we had a ton of fun recording this with Ally. Mustache licking, French speaking, unfaithfulness ahoy!A huge thank you to Ally for coming on to this episode! It was incredibly fun to record. You can listen to Russophiles Unite! anywhere you get your podcasts and you can follow him and his podcast on Twitter.Major themes: Adultery, Kiera Kn...
2021-04-0959 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsInterview with Alex Christofi, author of Dostoevsky in LoveAuthor and publisher Alex Christofi joins Ally Pitts to discuss the tumultuous life of Fyodor Dostoevsky, who is the subject of his fascinating new biography, Dostoevsky in Love, published by Bloomsbury Continuum.
Listeners in the UK can pick up a copy of Dostoevsky in Love via our uk.bookshop.org affiliate link. 10% of the sale will go towards covering the costs of running the show and you'll also be helping out independent bookshops! Visit our uk.bookshop.org affiliate store here to see the rest of our Russia-themed book selection. As you might expect, there is a se...
2021-04-0836 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsI am Twenty (Marlen Khutsiev; 1965)Nadja Bee, film critic and co-founder of KinoSelect, joins Ally Pitts to discuss a sprawling drama from the 1960s in which a group of friends navigate the trials, tribulations, and joys of young adulthood. Oh, and a youthful Andrei Tarkovsky shows up briefly as a jerk at a party.
CONTENT WARNING: The film's plot includes the death of a parent.
SPOILERS from about 22 minutes in until the end.
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
Listeners in the UK can help the show by picking up a b...
2021-04-041h 26A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsA Russian Youth (Alexander Zolotukhin; 2019)Lyn Seren, host of Gentlemen Don't Get Caught: An R.E.M. Podcast, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this depiction of an adolescent conscript's experience of the First World War, which features an unusual (and perhaps not wholly successful) artistic twist.
SPOILERS from about 8 minutes in until the end.
CONTENT WARNING: the film discussed contains violence and nudity.
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
Listeners in the UK can help the show by picking up a book from our uk.bookshop.org affiliate store.
The...
2021-03-071h 06A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsBeanpole (Kantemir Balagov; 2019)Lyn Seren, host of Gentlemen Don't Get Caught: An R.E.M. Podcast, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this appropriately dark exploration of a relationship between two traumatised young women living in Leningrad in the aftermath of World War II.
SPOILERS from about 20 minutes in until the end.
CONTENT WARNING: the film discussed contains many upsetting scenes, including some containing sexual violence.
At the time of writing, Beanpole is available to watch on MUBI.
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Support the...
2021-02-071h 20A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsInterview with Kino Klassika season manager Olga DoletskayaKino Klassika is a UK non-profit organisation that highlights films from Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Shortly before the launch of Klassiki, Kino Klassika's new streaming service, Ally Pitts spoke to season manager Olga Doletskaya.
Find out more about Kino Klassika: https://www.kinoklassikafoundation.org/
Find out more about Klassiki: https://klassiki.online/
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
If you'd like to get in touch, it would be great to hear from you! Here are some ways you can d...
2021-01-2642 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsWar and Peace (Sergei Bondarchuk; 1966)Lyn Seren, host of Gentlemen Don't Get Caught: An R.E.M. Podcast joins Ally Pitts to discuss this suitably epic adaptation of Lev Tolstoy's famous masterpiece.
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
Listeners in the UK can buy War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy and Bondarchuk's War and Peace': Literary Classic to Soviet Cinematic Epic by Professor Denise J. Youngblood via our uk.bookshop.org affiliate links. 10% of the sale will go towards covering the costs of running the show and you'll also be helping out independent bookshops! Visit o...
2021-01-031h 15A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsMorozko [AKA Frosty AKA Father Frost AKA Jack Frost...] (Alexander Rou; 1964)Carrie Pitts, Russian language & literature graduate, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this festive fairy tale adventure featuring winter wizard Ded Moroz and notorious witch Baba Yaga.
Listeners in the UK can buy Why the Bear Has No Tail: And other Russian Folk Tales, translated by Netta Peacock and The Story of Synko-Filipko and other Russian Folk Tales, (both Fontanka Press), translated by Dr Louise Hardiman via our affiliate links here and here. 10% of the sale will go towards covering the costs of running the show and you'll also be helping out independent bookshops! Visit our uk.bookshop.o...
2020-12-2744 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsAnastasia: Once Upon a Time (Blake Harris; 2020)Samantha Berkhead, Moscow Times editor and bad movie enthusiast, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this extremely ill-judged pre-teen fish-out-of-water/time-travel comedy which features the doomed Romanov princess as its main character.
Listeners in the UK can support the show by picking up a book via our online affiliate bookshop. 10% of the sale will go towards covering the costs of running the show and you'll also be helping out independent bookshops! Visit our uk.bookshop.org affiliate store here!
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
S...
2020-12-061h 06A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsLeto (Kirill Serebrennikov; 2018)Caroline Ridler, academic and musician, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this musical/drama/biopic which follows the growth of the Leningrad rock scene in the early 1980s, with a particular focus on one of its most famous members, Kino frontman Viktor Tsoi.
Listeners in the UK can buy Everything Was Forever, Until It Was No More by Alexei Yurchak from Princeton University Press via our uk.bookshop.org affiliate link. 10% of the sale will go towards covering the costs of running the show and you'll also be helping out independent bookshops! Visit our uk.bookshop.org affiliate s...
2020-11-221h 38A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsBrief Encounters (Kira Muratova; 1967)Bianca Garner, film critic and editor and founder of In Their Own League, a website focusing on female filmmakers, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this 1960s romantic drama co-starring legendary Soviet bard Vladimir Vysotsky.
Listeners in the UK can buy Kira Muratova by Jane Taubman from Bloomsbury Books via our uk.bookshop.org affiliate link. 10% of the sale will go towards covering the costs of running the show and you'll also be helping out independent bookshops! Visit our uk.bookshop.org affiliate store here!
Expect SPOILERS from 41 minutes in until the end.
Brief...
2020-11-021h 25A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsMongol: The Rise to Power of Genghis Khan (Sergei Bodrov Sr; 2007)Dr Sarah Ifft Decker, professional historian and host of Media-eval: A Medieval Pop Culture Podcast, joins Ally Pitts to discuss an epic drama/war movie based on the early career of one of the most (in)famous military leaders in history.
CONTENT WARNING: a character in the film is raped off-screen, there is also several violent battle scenes. This episode also contains some discussion of historical atrocities.
Expect SPOILERS from about 48 minutes in until the end.
Mongol stars Tanobu Asano, Sun Honglei, and Khulan Chuluun.
If you enjoyed this episode, please...
2020-11-012h 55
A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsSeason 5 TrailerThe Russophiles Unite Movie Podcast returns on Sunday 1st November 2020!If you'd like to get in touch, it would be great to hear from you!Twitter: @RussophilesUEmail: russophilesunite@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/russophilesuniteInstagram: www.instagram.com/russophiles_unite/Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/Ally_Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: https://ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
2020-10-2701 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsRussian Ark (Aleksandr Sokurov; 2002)Jonny Tickle, Moscow resident and YouTuber, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this meandering, mysterious walk through Russian history and Saint Petersberg's Hermitage Museum, filmed in a single continuous take.
Listeners in the UK can buy Alexander Sokurov: Russian Ark by Birgit Beumers via our uk.bookshop.org affiliate link. 10% of the sale will go towards covering the costs of running the show and you'll also be helping out independent bookshops. Visit our uk.bookshop.org affiliate store here!
Expect SPOILERS from about 38 minutes in until the end.
Russian Ark stars Sergei Dreiden.
2020-04-021h 29A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsMy Boyfriend is an Angel (Vera Storozheva; 2011)Carrie joins Ally once again, this time to discuss a fantastical rom-com in which Sasha (Anna Starshenbaum), a student, meets Serafim (Artur Smolyaninov), a celestial visitor in Moscow on New Year's Eve.
CONTENT WARNING: As we discuss in this episode, this film contains extreme racial insensitivity and also outright racism.
Expect SPOILERS from about 17 minutes until the end.
My Boyfriend is an Angel also stars Olga Popova, Nikita Efremov, Sergey Puskepalis, Ivan Makarevich,
The show's intro music is by Sasha Ilyukevich and the Highly Skilled Migrants.
You can find mor...
2020-02-141h 09A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsOffice Romance (Eldar Ryazanov; 1977)Michele Berdy, Moscow Times columnist, translator, and The Word's Worth podcast host, joins Ally to discuss this Brezhnev-era rom-com starring Alisa Freyndlikh and Andrei Myagkov.
Listeners in the UK can buy The Russian Word's Worth by Michele Berdy via our uk.bookshop.org affiliate link. 10% of the sale will go towards covering the running costs of the show and you'll also be helping out independent bookshops. Visit our uk.bookshop.org affiliate store here!
Expect SPOILERS from about 42 minutes in until the end.
Office Romance also stars Oleg Basilashvili, Svetlana Nemolyaeva, and Liya Akhe...
2020-01-091h 32A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsChapaev (Sergey & Georgy Vasilyev; 1934)Martin Kessler, filmmaker and Flixwise: Canada host, returns to discuss this Russian Civil War set proto-action film. It has the dubious distinction of being one of Joseph Stalin's favourite movies, and it stars Boris Babochkin as the eponymous Red Army commander.
Listeners in the UK can buy Chapaev by Julian Graffy from Bloomsbury Books, via our uk.bookshop.org affiliate link. 10% of the sale will go towards covering the costs of running the show and you'll also be helping out independent bookshops! Visit our uk.bookshop.org affiliate store here!
CONTENT WARNING:
The...
2019-12-051h 35A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsAnna (Luc Besson; 2019)Lyn Seren, veteran of the podcast and possible 6th Element, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this slightly Cold War-flavoured espionage/action film
Expect SPOILERS from about 19 minutes in until the end.
CONTENT WARNING: the film includes depictions of an abusive relationship, self-harm, and suicidal behaviour.
Anna stars Sasha Luss, Helen Mirren, Cillian Murphy, Luke Evans, and Lera Abova.
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: https://ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
The...
2019-11-071h 20A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsSunflower (Vittorio De Sica; 1970)Carrie Pitts, Russian language and literature graduate, joins Ally again as World War II casts its long shadow over the podcast once more.
Expect SPOILERS from about 12 minutes in until the end.
Sunflower stars Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, and Ludmila Savelyeva.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
The show's intro music is Cold by Sasha Ilyukevich and the Highly Skilled Migrants.
You can find more of their...
2019-10-0355 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsHow I Ended This Summer (Aleksei Popogrebsky; 2010)Lyn Seren, occasional watcher of Russian films, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this tense thriller set in the Russian arctic.
Expect SPOILERS from about 18 minutes in until the end.
CONTENT WARNING: the film discussed in this episode contains an off-screen suicide , extremely brief nudity, and violence. This content is mentioned during the show.
How I Ended This Summer stars Grigory Dobrygin and Sergey Puskepalis.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.co...
2019-09-051h 16A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsLittle Vera (Vasily Pichul; 1988)Alissa Timoshkina, chef, KinoVino supper club founder, and author of Salt and Time: Recipes from a Russian Kitchen joins Ally Pitts to discuss this somewhat notorious drama from the late 1980s glastnost period a few years before the Soviet Union collapsed.
Listeners in the UK can buy Salt and Time via our uk.bookshop.org affiliate link. 10% of the sale will go towards covering cost of running the show and you'll also be helping out independent bookshops. Visit our uk.bookshop.org affiliate store here!
Expect SPOILERS from about 55 minutes in until the end.
2019-08-011h 35A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsCome and See (Elem Klimov; 1985)Sasha Ilyukevich, London-based Belarusian singer-songwriter and poet, joins Ally Pitts for this harrowing journey into Nazi-occupied Belarus in 1943, which stars Aleksey Kravchenko and Olga Mironova.
CONTENT WARNING: Come and See contains sustained depictions of atrocities, including rape and mass murder. It's a very, very tough watch. SPOILERS from about 49 minutes in until the end.
You can watch the film at Russian Hub.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
The s...
2019-07-041h 44A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsOnegin (Martha Fiennes; 1999)Jenny Shelton, writer and period drama drama connoisseur, and Carrie Pitts. Russian language & literature graduate join Ally Pitts to discuss this adaptation of Alexander Pushkin's famous verse novel.
SPOILERS from about 28 minutes onwards.
CONTENT WARNING: the film contains very brief but fairly graphic violence.
Onegin stars Ralph Fiennes, Liv Tyler, Toby Stephens, and Lena Headey.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
The show's intro music is Cold...
2019-06-061h 24A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsAttraction (Fyodor Bondarchuk; 2017)Teegan Johnson, industrial psychology researcher and sci-fi fan, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this alien invasion movie/romance set in contemporary Moscow.
Expect SPOILERS from about 13 minutes in onwards.
CONTENT WARNING: The film depicts misogynistic violence and consent issues.
Attraction stars Irina Starshenbaum, Alexander Petrov, Rinal Mukhametov, Evgeny Mikheev and Oleg Menshikov.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
The show's intro music is Cold by Sasha Ilyuk...
2019-04-181h 17A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsLetter Never Sent (Mikhail Kalatozov; 1960)Lyn Seren, film fan and R.E.M. appreciator, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this journey into the depths of Siberia.
Expect SPOILERS from about 20 minutes in onwards.
Letter Never Sent stars Tatyana Samoylova, Evgeny Urbansky, Vasily Livanov, and Innokenty Smoktunovsky.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
The show's intro music is Cold by Sasha Ilyukevich and the Highly Skilled Migrants.
You can find more of their...
2019-04-0451 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsWelcome, Or No Trespassing (Elem Klimov, 1964)Tanya Lukyanova, TV producer, and stand-up comedian, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this joyous and energetic satire, which was the debut of the director of the notorious war film Come and See.
This episode SPOILERS from about 18 mins in until the end.
Welcome, or No Trespassing stars Viktor Kosykh, Evgeny Evstignyev, Aleksei Smirnov, Lidiya Smirnova, and Arina Aleynikova.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
You can follow Tanya on Inst...
2019-03-2159 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsThe Cranes are Flying (Mikhail Kalatozov; 1957)Carrie Pitts, Russian language & literature grad, foodie, and reluctant veteran of the podcast, joins Ally to discuss possibly the most famous Soviet film of the Khrushchev Thaw.
Listeners in the UK can buy The Cranes are Flying by Josephine Woll from Bloomsbury Books, via our uk.bookshop.org affiliate link. 10% of the sale will go towards covering the costs of running the show and you'll also be helping out independent bookshops! Visit our uk.bookshop.org affiliate store here!
SPOILERS from about 18 mins in until the end.
CONTENT WARNING: a rape is strongly...
2019-03-0745 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsThe Diamond Arm (Leonid Gaidai; 1969)Olivia Capozzalo & Smith Freeman, hosts of the She's in Russia podcast, join Ally Pitts to discuss this late 1960s crime caper.
Expect SPOILERS from about 39 minutes in until the end.
The Diamond Arm stars Yuri Nikulin, Andrei Mironov, Nonna Mordyukova, Anatoly Papanov, Nina Grebeshkova, and Svetlana Svetlichnaya.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
The show's intro music is Cold by Sasha Ilyukevich and the Highly Skilled Migrants.
You...
2019-02-211h 41A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsWar and Peace (King Vidor; 1956)Adam Roche of The Secret History of Hollywood, Attaboy, Clarence!, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this Hollywood adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's epic, which stars Audrey Hepburn.
Expect SPOILERS from about 22 minutes in until the end.
War and Peace also stars Henry Fonda, Mel Ferrer, Vittorio Gassman, Anita Ekberg, Oskar Homolka, Helmut Dantine, and Jeremy Brett.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
Find out more about Adam's podcasts at: www.attab...
2019-02-071h 16A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsPrisoner of the Caucasus AKA Kidnapping, Caucasian Style (Leonid Gaidai; 1966)Nadia Bee, writer and filmmaker, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this beloved 1960s Soviet comedy.
Expect SPOILERS from 15 minutes in until the end.
CONTENT WARNING: bride-kidnapping is central to the plot.
Kidnapping, Caucasian Style stars Alexander Demyanenko, Natalya Varley, Vladimir Etush, Frunzik Mkrtchyan, Yuri Nikulin, Yevgeny Morgunov, and Georgy Vitsin.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
You can read reviews and interviews by Nadia at: https://ki...
2019-01-2453 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsIvan’s Childhood (Andrei Tarkovsky; 1962)Spencer Seams, podcaster & writer, joins Ally Pitts to discuss Andrei Tarkovsky's full-length debut.
Expect SPOILERS from about 16 minutes in until the end.
Ivan's Childhood stars Nikolai Burlyayev, Valentin Zubkov, Nikolai Grinko, Yevgeny Zharikov, Irma Rausch, and Valentina Malyavina.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
Spencer and fellow previous guest Joel Torres host We Cut Heads: A Spike Lee Podcast.
Russophiles Unite's intro music is Cold by Sasha...
2019-01-101h 09A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsYolki AKA Six Degrees of Celebration (Timur Bekmambetov et al.; 2010)Carrie Pitts, former Moscow resident, expert heckler, and Georgian food advocate joins Ally to discuss this slice of seasonal schmaltz.
Expect SPOILERS from about 23 minutes in until the end.
Six Degrees of Celebration stars Ivan Urgant, Sergey Svetlakov, Elena Plaksina, Vera Brezhneva, Aleksandr Golovin, Kristina Asmus, Dato Bakhtadze, Sergey Garmash, and Mariya Poroshina.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
The show's intro music is Cold by Sasha Ilyukevich and th...
2018-12-2753 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsMermaid (Anna Melikyan; 2007)Marilag Angway and Meghan Griffin podcasters and fairy tale super-fans, join Ally Pitts to discuss this loose modern-day adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid.
Expect SPOILERS from about 19 minutes in until the end.
CONTENT WARNING: suicide is a recurring theme of the film and there's also some nudity.
Mermaid stars Mariya Shalayeva, Evgeniy Tsyganov, Mariya Sokova, Irina Skrinichenko, Albina Evtushevskaya, and Veronika Skugina.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.co...
2018-12-131h 11A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsIvan the Terrible: Part I (Sergei Eisenstein; 1944)Esther Jolliffe, film Studies masters graduate, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this biopic of the first tsar of Muscovy, which was voted 102nd greatest film of all time in the 2012 Sight and Sound Critics' Poll.
Listeners in the UK can buy This Thing of Darkness: Eisenstein's Ivan the Terrible in Stalin's Russia by Dr Joan Neuberger from Cornell University Press, via our uk.bookshop.org affiliate link. 10% of the sale will go towards covering the costs of running the show and you'll also be helping out independent bookshops! Visit our uk.bookshop.org affiliate store here!
2018-10-2546 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsFiddler on the Roof (Norman Jewison; 1971)Alex Taylor, writer and performer, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this big screen version of the beloved stage musical, itself an adaptation of a story by Russian-Jewish writer Sholem Aleichem.
Expect SPOILERS from about 15 minutes in until the end.
CONTENT WARNING: the movie depicts anti-Semitic attacks and persecution.
Fiddler on the Roof stars Topol, Norma Crane, Leonard Frey, Molly Picon, Paul Mann, Rosalind Harris, Michele Marsh, Neva Small, Paul Michael Glaser, and Raymond Lovelock.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
S...
2018-10-1152 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsThe White Sun of the Desert (Vladimir Motyl; 1970)Edward Evans, English language teacher, lapsed chemist, occasional YouTuber and long-time Moscow resident, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this 'Red Western'/'Eastern'.
SPOILERS from about 19 minutes in until the end.
The White Sun of the Desert stars Anatoly Kuznetsov, Spartak Mishulin, Pavel Luspekayev, Kakhi Kavsadze, and Lidiya Smirnova.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
The show's intro music is Cold by Sasha Ilyukevich and the Highly Skilled Migrants.
2018-09-271h 17A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsIvan Vasilyevich Changes Profession (Leonid Gaidai; 1973)Lyn Seren, Russophiles Unite regular and Bill & Ted enthusiast, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this knockabout time-travel comedy caper.
Expect SPOILERS from about 7 minutes in until the end.
Ivan Vasilyevich Changes Profession stars Yuri Yakovlev, Alexandr Demyanenko, Leonid Kuravlyov, and Natalya Seleznyova.
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
The show's intro music is Cold by Sasha Ilyukevich and the Highly Skilled Migrants.
You can find more of their music at: thehighlyskilledmigrants.bandcamp.com/ or: open.spotify.com/artist/1cXWmfhuDWyfKfsYADk96F
If you'd like to...
2018-09-1326 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsAssa (Sergei Solovyov; 1987)Carrie Pitts, former Moscow resident and self-described 'emergency back-up guest', joins Ally to discuss this late '80s Russian cult favourite.
We were fortunate enough to see it on the big screen as Kino Klassika put it on as part of their #YouthOnTheMarch season of Soviet New Wave films.
Expect SPOILERS from about 9 minutes in until the end.
CONTENT WARNING: the movie features scenes domestic violence, and, as we discuss during this episode, an extremely insensitive casting decision.
Assa stars Tatyana Drubich, Stanislav Govorukhin, and Sergei 'Afrika' Bugaev. It also features a me...
2018-08-301h 14A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsBrother (Alexei Balabanov; 1997)Mark Bullen, author, former police officer, and expert on Russian organised crime joins Ally Pitts to discuss iconic '90s neo-noir crime drama Brother.
It stars Sergei Bodrov Jr, Viktor Sukhorukov, Svetlana Pismichenko, Yury Kuznetsov, and Sergei Murzin.
CONTENT WARNING: In the film, it is implied that a male character rapes a female character off-screen.
SPOILERS from about 32 minutes in until the end.
Mark's book Thief in Law, which is a guide to the tattoos and culture of Russian-speaking organised criminal gangs is available from Schiffer Books in the United States: www.s...
2018-08-161h 15A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsAelita, Queen of Mars (Yakov Protazanov; 1924) Sarah Roberts, artist and podcaster,, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this early Soviet silent sci-fi adventure.
SPOILERS from about 11 minutes in until the end.
Aelita stars Nikolai Tsereteli, Valentina Kuindzhi, Yuliya Solntseva, Nikolai Batalov, and Pavel Pol.
Check out Sarah's artwork here: http://sarahkathleenroberts.com/
The outro music is by Gamers in Exile, from their alternative soundtrack to the film and is used with their kind permission. The full version can be found here: https://youtu.be/CBnlTge6S4o
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: https://k...
2018-08-021h 11A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsNicholas & Alexandra (Franklin J. Schaffner; 1971)Ayna Niyazova, artist and illustrator, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this Oscar-winning epic period drama that depicts the series of calamities that led to the downfall of the Romanov dynasty.
SPOILERS from about 25 minutes in until the end.
Nicholas & Alexandra stars Michael Jayston, Janet Suzman, Laurence Olivier, John McEnery, Michael Bryant, and Tom Baker.
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: https://ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
The show's intro music is Cold by Sasha Ilyukevich and the Highly Skilled Migrants.
You can find more of their music at:
...
2018-07-171h 27A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsMy Friend Ivan Lapshin (Aleksei German Sr; 1985)Martin Kessler, filmmaker and host of Flixwise: Canada joins Ally Pitts to discuss this 1930s-set film that is part memoir, part crime drama.
CONTENT WARNING: the film depicts a suicide attempt.
SPOILERS from about 23 minutes in until the end.
Martin has also written a series of in-depth essays on Aleksei German Sr. and his films published by film site The Pink Smoke.
My Friend Ivan Lapshin stars Andrei Boltnev, Nina Ruslanova, and Andrey Mironov.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/ru...
2018-07-051h 05A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsThe Sun (Alexander Sokurov; 2005)Joel Torres, podcaster and film fan, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this unconventional biopic that focuses on Emperor Hirohito's response to Japan's defeat in World War II.
SPOILERS from about 23 minutes in until the end.
The Sun stars Issei Ogata and Robert Dawson.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
The show's intro music is Cold by Sasha Ilyukevich and the Highly Skilled Migrants.
You can find more...
2018-06-211h 12A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsThe Barber of Siberia (Nikita Mikhalkov; 1998)Tracy Tanoff, podcaster, literature fan, and period drama connoisseur, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this sprawling late 1990s epic from the director of the 1994 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film winner Burnt by the Sun.
The Barber of Siberia stars Julia Ormond, Oleg Menshikov, Alexei Petrenko, and Richard Harris.
SPOILERS from about 12 minutes in until the end.
CONTENT WARNING: a rape, while not depicted on screen, is a plot element.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the sho...
2018-06-071h 02A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsAndrei Rublev (Andrei Tarkovsky; 1966)Lyn Seren, man who likes interesting films and appreciator of dogs, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this historical epic/unconventional biopic of the famous Russian icon painter.
Expect SPOILERS from about 7 minutes in until the end.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
Find out more about #PodRevDay, a way to support your favourite podcasts: www.stephfuccio.com/podrevday
The show's intro music is Cold by Sasha Ilyukevich and the Hi...
2018-05-2441 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsWindow to Paris (Yuri Mamin; 1993)For the last episode of this batch, it's Window to Paris from 1993.
It stars Sergey Dreyden, Agnes Soral, and Viktor Mikhaylov, and was directed by Yuri Mamin.
Joining Ally to discuss the film are Carrie, & Lyn, who you may remember from such episodes as Irony of Fate, Loveless, Stalker, and Lady Macbeth.
SPOILERS from about 6 minutes in until the end.
If you'd like to get in touch and tell us what you thought of the film and/or the podcast episode, here are some ways you can do that:
...
2018-04-1238 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsThe Hound of the Baskervilles (Igor Maslennikov; 1981)Malcolm Nygard, writer and podcaster, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this Soviet take on one of the most famous Sherlock Holmes stories.
SPOILERS from about 34 minutes in until the end.
The Hound of the Baskervilles stars Vasily Livanov, Viktor Solomin and Nikita Mikhalkov, and was directed by Igor Maslennikov.
SIGNIFICANT SPOILERS from about 34 minutes in until the end.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
Check out Mal...
2018-03-301h 19A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsEastern Promises (David Cronenberg; 2007)Lydia Kapp, writer, actor, and artist, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this dark, violent London-set crime drama.
CONTENT WARNING: the movie discussed on this episode contains depictions of sexual violence; human trafficking, and graphic violence. For more information, please visit: https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/eastern-promises-2007
SPOILERS from about 24 minutes in until the end.
Eastern Promises stars Naomi Watts, Viggo Mortensen, Vincent Cassell, and Armin Mueller-Stahl.
Lydia wrote and starred in the short film Clarence, directed by Rob Thomson, which can be viewed here.
Find Lydia on Twitter: ht...
2018-03-151h 18A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsThrough the Thorns to the Stars AKA To the Stars by Hard Ways (Richard Viktorov; 1980)Teegan Johnson, industrial psychologist and sci-fi fan, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this early 1980s curiosity.
Listeners in the UK can support the show by picking up a book via our online affiliate bookshop. 10% of the sale will go towards covering the costs of running the show and you'll also be helping out independent bookshops! Visit our uk.bookshop.org affiliate store here!
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
The sho...
2018-03-0154 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsThe Death of Stalin (Armando Iannucci; 2017)Matt Billingsley, editor and Iannucci aficionado, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this black comedy satire. It was effectively banned in Russia, but well-reviewed by Russian critics (if you don't read Russian, just count the thumbs-up).
CONTENT WARNING: the movie depicts multiple executions and implied sexual assault off-screen.
SPOILERS from about 10 minutes in until the end, although some things
should be fairly easy to anticipate...
The movie stars Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Jeffrey Tambor, Michael Palin, Andrea Riseborough, Rupert Friend and Jason Isaacs (hello to Jason Isaacs, obviously).
The show...
2018-02-1541 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsLoveless (Andrei Zvyagintsev; 2017)As a special Valentine's Day treat, we're watching Andrei Zvyagintsev's latest film, Loveless from 2017.
The film stars Maryana Spivak, Aleksey Rozin, and Matvey Novikov. It has been nominated for a Bafta for Best Film Not in the English Language, and the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
To discuss the film, Ally is joined by former Moscow resident and self-described emergency back-up guest Carrie Pitts.
We've tried to avoid SPOILERS but be aware that they may occur from about 6 minutes in until the end.
If you'd like to get in touch an...
2018-02-1442 minA Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsStalingrad (Fyodor Bondarchuk; 2013)This time around we're watching Stalingrad, from 2013 and directed by Fyodor Bondarchuk.
The film stars Mariya Smolyakina, Yanina Studilina, Pyotr Fyodorov, Thomas Kretschmann, Sergey Bondarchuk, Dmitri Lysenkov, Andrey Smolyakov, Aleksey Barabash, and Oleg Volku. It was Russia's entry for Best Film in the 87th Oscars, but it ultimately wasn't nominated.
To discuss the film, Ally is joined by former A-level film studies student and Chuckle Brother Award co-winner (2004) Patrick Say.
This episode contains SPOILERS from 20 minutes in until the end.
If you'd like to get in touch and tell us what you t...
2018-02-011h 04A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally PittsLady Macbeth (William Oldroyd; 2016)Lyn Seren, film enthusiast, cat admirer, and car owner, joins Ally Pitts to discuss British film Lady Macbeth, which features a star-making performance by Florence Pugh.
The screenplay is an adaptation of Nikolai Leskov's 19th century novella Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk District by Alice Birch.
Expect SIGNIFICANT SPOILERS from 4 minutes in until the end. CONTENT WARNING: If you're planning to watch the film, you should be aware that it contains scenes of domestic violence and sexual assault. As you'll hear in the episode, we recorded this when the film had its initial run in UK ci...
2018-01-1830 min