Alexei-German-Obituary

Alexei German

Obituary

ST.PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) - Alexei German, a Russian film director best known for his works offering a bitter view of life in the Soviet Union under dictator Josef Stalin, died Thursday, his son said.

German, 74, died of heart failure at a hospital in his hometown, St. Petersburg, his son, Alexei German Jr., said in a blog post.

German came to prominence internationally for his 1983 production "My Friend Ivan Lapshin" about a police investigator battling a criminal gang. Censors blocked the film's release for two years because of its realistic depiction of Soviet life in the wake of the Stalinist terror of the late 1930s.

The release of the film heralded the era of reforms launched by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and was aired on Soviet television in 1986 to much clamor and public debate.

The production of "Khrustalyov, My Car," a grotesque narrative centered on Stalin's final days, endured multiple delays due to Russia's post-So viet economic meltdown. It received a hostile reception at its Cannes premiere in 1998, but later attained cult status.

In a 2012 article, critic Anton Dolin observed that "to many Russian critics, cinephiles, and viewers, German is their national cinema's foremost figure after (Andrei) Tarkovsky."

"Others insist that, in fact, he is more important and more original," Dolin wrote.

German's output was typically starkly shot and marked in its emphasis on mood and oppressive atmosphere over traditional linear narrative. His films are unified by an unflinchingly critical view of Soviet history.

His first solo directorial work, "Trial on The Road" - made in 1971 but barred from release until 1986 - was based on a war story by his father, a famous novelist, and told the story of an escaped prisoner of war compelled to win back the trust of his comrades during World War II.

Although structurally conventional, the film drew the authorities' disapproval for German's unusual decision to make a hero of a character initially viewed as a Nazi collaborator.

Alexei German Jr., who is also a celebrated director, said work on his father's sixth and final film was all but done.

"The film 'It Is Hard to Be a God' is in effect finished. All that remains is the audio dubbing. Everything else is ready. It will be completed in the foreseeable future," he said.

German Jr. said his father worked on the film despite his failing health.

"The making of the film was long and painful," German Jr. said in a post on Ekho Mosky radio station's website. "It was made without government money."

Even before its release, the film has generated a lot of public expectations and intense discussion, with some seeing it as a stinging satire on President Vladimir Putin's Russia, full of grim predictions for the future.

The Lenfilm studio, with which German worked over his entire career, said his funeral would take place Sun day in St. Petersburg.

German is also survived by his wife, Svetlana Karmalita.

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IRINA TITOVA, Associated Press

Peter Leonard contributed from Almaty, Kazakhstan.


Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Dear German family, may you be comforted with the power beyond what's Normal and peace that excels all thought at this time 1cor 1:3,4

May the god of comfort be a source of strength for your famiy at this dificult time. 2Corn 1:3, 4. Deepest Sympathy, Sue, Concord, NC

My condolences to the German family. May you find comfort from the peace of God at this time of grief-Phillipians 4:6, 7. Erma L, Davis, Park Forest, IL.

May the family and friends of Mr. Alexei German receive the love and support that it greatly needed at this time. May you all receive the "power beyond what is normal," 2 Cor 4:7 to endure this difficult time in your lives. Mr. Alexei German will be remember by his films....

My sincere condolence for the loss of Alexei your dear loved one. May your fond memories of him bring back good thoughts. Peace and love to your family and friends, and to the spirit that you show. [email protected]

MAY THE GOD OF PEACE LOOK KINDLY UPON THE FAMILY,"HAPPY ARE THE MILD-TEMPERED ONES,SINCE THEY WILL INHERIT THE EARTH."...GNC

God bless you and your family for having the courage to educate us through your films. The sacrifices you and your family has made from making these films and by going against the wishes of the soviet government does not go unnoticed. What strength you all have. I'm so sorry for the loss of your father and husband. My prayers are with you. Kim OHalloran Easton, CT

May the God who supplies all comfort support your family during this time of sorrow. We await the coming promise when "no resident will say I am sick." Isaiah 33.24