1984 is a 2023 Finnish-Russian sci-fi dystopian black comedy drama film directed by Diana Ringo.[2] The film is based upon George Orwell's 1949 novel of the same name as well as Yevgeny Zamyatin's 1920–1921 novel We.[3][4][5]
| 1984 | |
|---|---|
_film_poster.jpg) Film poster | |
| Directed by | Diana Ringo |
| Written by | Diana Ringo |
| Based on | |
| Produced by | Diana Ringo |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Diana Ringo |
| Edited by | Diana Ringo |
| Music by | Diana Ringo |
Production company | AElita Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 132 minutes |
| Countries | Finland, Russia[1] |
| Language | Russian |
Plot
In a grim and stifling society dominated by the omnipresent figure of Big Brother, individual liberties are a distant memory, swallowed up by constant surveillance. Art is scorned and fantasy is deemed a perilous affliction. Amid this oppressive landscape, a brilliant mathematician[6] finds himself entangled in a forbidden affair with a fellow intellectual. In a world where freedom is slavery, and any opposition to the iron rule carries deadly consequences, he faces a difficult choice: whether to join the resistance against the all-powerful Big Brother or remain an obedient citizen of the United State.
Cast
- Aleksandr Obmanovas Mathematician D503
- Vladimir Ivaniyas Prisoner E202
- Aleksey SharaninasPhilologist C340
- Diana Ringoas Fiction department employee I-330
- Evgeniy KazakasConcert host
- Ilya Yaroslavtsevas Party Member
- Viktor KorovinasMedical assistant
- Sergei NikitinasEngineer R-13
- Ilya Droznin as Prison guard
- Anton Biryukovas Enemy of the people L723
- Vladislav Kuvitsynas Younger doctor
- Sergey BudanovasOlder doctor
- Dima Rubin as Inner Party Official
- Sergei Khrustalyov as Inner Party Official
- Aleksei Shamayev as Minister of the United State
- Maksim Shilov as Police officer
Production
My film “1984” is a reflection on freedom and unfreedom, the dehumanization of society, truth and falsification, propaganda and manipulation of public opinion.[7]
– Diana Ringo
The film is the third feature film adaptation of the novel 1984 by George Orwell. It is dedicated to the 120th birth anniversary of George Orwell.[8]
It was shot in Moscow. 1984 is an independently produced film made without Russian government support or other government funds. Ringo has said in an interview to David Ryan (author of George Orwell on Screen) that she wished to make a film which would show the humorous and satiric side of "1984". When writing the screenplay, she was also influenced by the novel We by Yevgeny Zamyatin, which served as inspiration for George Orwell when he was writing 1984. Orwell praised the novel We, of which he also wrote a review in 1946. We has a similar plot and atmosphere as the novel 1984.[9]
The film's entire soundtrack was composed by Diana Ringo.[8]
Release
The first trailer of 1984 was released on November 21, 2022.[10]
1984 was released on digital streaming by Prime Video on November 15, 2023. The final film trailer was also released on the same day.[11][12][13]
Reception
WorldFilmGeek praised the film, giving an A rating, commending the adept blend of George Orwell's novel with Yevgeny Zamaytin's "We". The review highlighted the strong performances and directing.[1]
Randall Larson in his Soundtrax column gave a positive review of the film's score.[14]
