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December 09, 2021
Vadim Jendreyko's timeless film THE WOMAN WITH THE 5 ELEPHANTS will be shown as a matinée screening at kult.kino Basel on 12th of December 2021 at 10.00 a.m. on the occasion of the double exhibition 200 Years of Dostoevsky & Russian Icons. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the director and translator Gabrielle de Groër, moderated by Nadine Reinert, director of the Philosophicum Basel.
«This was one of the most movingly beautiful films I have ever seen» – WIFV-DC.
November 04, 2020
On the occasion of the 10th day of Swetlana Geier's death on Saturday 7th November, Vadim Jendreyko, the director of the film The Woman with the 5 Elephants, looks back and shares with us his memories of this impressive translator.
Is there something that you took with you from Swetlana Geier that might have influenced you personally?
Oh - there are many things! For example, her unconditional loyalty to the author or to his work, even if it was at the expense of convention and courtesy. Or how in her life different sides of being a human being have merged into a whole, e.g. mind and intellect with intuition and a very sensual turning to life. These qualities are often isolated from each other, both in the individual and in society as a whole. She was a shining example of how supposed opposites complement each other.
Swetlana Geier passed away just one year after the film was released. Did you have contact with her during this time and do you know how it was for her that the film was so successful?
Yes, we were in close contact during this time. We went to some screenings together and I continued to visit her in Günterstal. For Swetlana Geier, the direct encounter with the person or people was always in the foreground. The many direct feedbacks she received after the performances or through letters were much more important to her than the abstract size of audience numbers or festival invitations. The conversation with the individual, in which the film or her thoughts met with resonance, pleased her very much.
For you too, 10 years have passed as a filmmaker. Is there something you would do differently, something you would have liked to ask her or to show in the film?
The film was made on the basis of my perspective 10 years ago. The framework, the approach, the way of deepening the film emerged from it. In the meantime the earth has orbited the sun 10 times and my perspective has also shifted. Therefore a different film would be made today, but also my protagonist would not be the same today as 10 years ago. For me, a film has nothing absolute, it is an attempt, an approach in which I strive for the highest possible degree of coherence with myself. Consistency with myself as I am today. And tomorrow is not the same as yesterday. I miss the exchange with Svetlana Geier, the cup of tea with her, the dialogue about Dostoyevsky's figures and their counterparts in today's world, about painting and recipes - I only know one of her cake recipes! And I miss her advice as an experienced old friend.
I was especially impressed by the scene in the train, where Swetlana compliments the inspector on his respect and friendliness... What impressed you most about her? What made her special?
From the abundance I would like to pick out just one side that you just mentioned: She understood the art of appreciation! She expressed what she noticed and liked. It was often like a magic wand with which she touched her counterpart, be it a cab driver, a student or the border guard in the scene you mentioned. The people felt addressed, perceived, appreciated, even if it was only by noticing a little something. It was impressive to see how she changed her surroundings with it.
What does it mean to you personally that you were able to make this film?
The film is also fortunate for me because it allows me to share at least part of my encounter with this person with others. To be able to do this professionally is a great privilege for me.