Sergei+Eisenstein

 __Sergei Eisenstein__



media type="google" key="-3911190018049425705&hl=en" width="400" height="326" clip from Battleship Potemkin

__History of Battleship Potemkin__ This silent film showcases the Battleship Potemkin, a russian ship belonging to the Russian Black Sea Fleet (a unit of the Russian navy), made famous by the "Battleship Potemkin Uprising." During this uprising, the crew rebelled against their harsh officers, during the Russian rebellion of 1905.

__History of the Time__ Tsar Nicolas was an oppressive, awful leader, under whose rule, Russia suffered both socially, and economically. He deprived people of their basic rights, and led a strict autocracy where he had ultimate power. Tsar Nicolas' reckless rule led to uprisings among peasants and the working class, for they were most effected. Famines arose as well, leaving many in discontent. The battleship Potemkin events are an example of one of these uprisings, where the crew of the ship represent the working class, fighting against the unjust government officials.

In 1917, Nicolas was taken out of power. The Bolsheviks (communists), and democrats fought for power. The Bolsheviks induced civil war, and eventually prevailed, thus taking control of the country.

__Reasons for the making of "Battleship Potemkin."__ Sergei Eisenstein was a communist, and in favor of Bolshevik rule. Eisenstien reflects upon history to prove a point relative to his time. He was supporting Bolshevik victory, in which the peasants and working class would influence, and direct the government. By recalling the Battleship Potemkin uprising, Eisenstein is proving that Bolshevik ideas were in place even before the civil war was started. The sailors revolting against their captains parallels the communists, comprised of peasants and workers, fighting Tsar Nicolas and his autocracy.

__Eisenstein's Style__ Montage is the French word for "putting together." Eisenstein used Montage to show still images on top of each other to show sequences of events and motion. Eisenstein describes it as: "the collision of independent shots." He used it show conflict, and played the clips rhythmically.

__Freedom of Expression__ A Communist, Eisenstein thought Bolshevik rule would enable artistic freedom. He thought society should foster creation, and thus he created revolutionary films that portrayed this dream of liberal artistic creation.