Good news for fans of documentaries, as 7th Art Releasing has announced that it has acquired North American distribution rights to Cathryn Collins’s brilliant new documentary, Vlast (Power). Vlast follows Mikhail Khodorkovsky's rise to prominence, becoming perhaps the wealthiest oligarch in Russia in the 1990s, as well as his fall from grace and resulting imprisonment. In her directorial debut, Collins gained unprecedented access to Khodorkovsky’s family, his closest associates, as well as politicians and journalists who have been following or are connected to the situation, all the while, illuminating the seedy underground of political and socio-economic clashes in this new era of Russia. Vlast made its world premiere at MoMA’s Documentary Fortnight 2010, as well as making very well received stops at The 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival and The Berkshire International Film Festival 2010, with an upcoming stop at The Hamptons International Film Festival 2010. Screenings are scheduled for Thursday October 7th at 5:00PM and Sunday October 10th at 10:45AM, with both taking place at the East Hampton United Artists Theater. Check Vlast's website for more information on how to get tickets for this and any other news on the film as far as upcoming fests or special screenings.
I was able to speak with Collins at The Los Angeles Film Festival this year as well as see the film. Be sure to check out the links at the end of this article for the generous and forthright interview with Collins as well as my review of Vlast. Don't just take my word for how good this film is, as another writer whose opinion I trust, Nicolas Rapold, wrote in The Village Voice that “Cathryn Collins's debut feature...makes the government's threat personally palpable—and '90s Russia just as mind-bogglingly up for grabs as you feared... “ From a recent press release, Collins perhaps explains the reality of making this film best, saying “in a country where the free press has barely a heartbeat and where Khodorkovsky is more or less state enemy #1, the hurdles of getting people to speak to me were Everest like.” Vlast succeeds strongly as an unvarnished picture of political upheaval, consolidation of power, and the erosion of democracy in modern Russia, the implications of which may one day have an effect far beyond the country's borders.
It is truly great news that a well crafted, intelligent, and entertaining film like Vlast (Power) will have the opportunity to be seen by a larger audience. Collins has done a real service in her crafting and creating of this film, sharing this story and knowledge with those who are fortunate enough to see it. For continuing coverage of Vlast (Power) by Cathryn Collins and other film festival gems in the future, you can receive these articles directly as they are published by clicking on the “Subscribe” button at the top of this piece. You can also follow me on Twitter by searching for ericshlapack or by clicking the link below.
For more info:
Vlast (Power) website
The Hamptons International Film Festival 2010
The 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival
Part One of my interview with Cathryn Collins
Part Two of my interview with Cathryn Collins
My review of Vlast (Power)
7th Art Releasing
Film Independent
My coverage of The LAFF
Follow me on Twitter
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