white tiger

INDEX
1 / Technical information
2 / Press quotes
3 / Synopsis
4 / Main cast
5 / Main crew
6 / Mosfilm Cinema Concern
WHITE TIGER
Director Karen Shakhnazarov
Writers Alexander Borodyansky, Karen Shakhnazarov
(after Ilya Boyashov’s novel “The Tank Crewman, or ”White Tiger”)
Music by Richard Wagner
Producers Karen Shakhnazarov, Galina Shadur
whitetiger.mosfilm.ru
1 / TECHNICAL INFORMATION
World sales: Mosfilm Cinema Concern
tel.: + 7 499 143 97 00, fax: + 7 499 783 02 53, e-mail: [email protected]
www.mosfilm.ru
Year
Original Russian title
English title
Length
Shot on
Length of copy in meters
Number of reels
Aspect ratio
Sound
2012
Белый Тигр
White Tiger
104 min.
Kodak, 35 mm, colour
2998
6
1,85:1
Dolby Digital
2 / PRESS QUOTES
I did not think about the genre. My thoughts
were about how to delve into the realities
of the war, show them the way I felt them.
There are also fantastic elements in the
film. So it can be regarded as war fantasy.
WHITE TIGER is in a sense similar to my
film THE ASSASSIN OF THE TSAR.
We made a very good model of the T-34
cabin. It was the exact replica of the
interior… I tried to impart life to the tanks.
That was my itention. I should say I came
to admire the Т-34. It is an extraordinary
machine. It has its own inimitable
aesthetics and character.
From Karen Shakhnazarov’s interview
to “Moskovsky komsomolets”
Karen Shakhnazarov’s rare gift of sensing
and reflecting on the screen the mystical
essence of seemingly simple things
has manifested itself in many of his
films. However, there it was manifested
in episodes, characters or story lines.
WHITE TIGER is a mystic drama from
beginning to end, in which even the exactly
reproduced ceremony of the signing of the
statement of the unconditional surrender
of Germany looks absolutely infernal.
World War Two is shown without the
slightest tinge of glory, so familiar to
us from Soviet movies. It appears as a
dramatic manifestation of the eternal
struggle between Good and Evil, which at
the end of the film is confirmed by Adolf
Hitler, who explains why he started the war.
Where does the late fuhrer speak about
it? Maybe there, where WHITE TIGER
lies in mbush for the final assault? Maybe
there, where Ivan Naidyonov is heading?
Sergey Lavrentyev
film critic, film historian
My father fought in the war, and I too have
always felt the breath of the war. A film
about the war is a challenge. In other
words, a milestone to be achieved.
It is much easier to make an arthouse
picture. I had several films which were quite
complicated in terms of sets, effects etc, but
to make a war film is like putting oneself to
a test. It is important for a director to have
a war film in his resume. My only previous
experience with war films was not in
directing – I produced the film STAR.
What does it mean to a Russian director to
turn to the subject of the war? We are sort
of used to it. But if we look at world history,
we have to admit that World War Two is the
most important event of all that happened
since the beginning of human existence.
For the first time the whole world was
involved in it, the world was on the brink
of a dramatic change in direction…
I understand that war. I believe that the
truth which I know about it is the real truth.
I have no reasons to consider any other
opinions. I do realize that my truth may
differ from the truth of someone else, but
that does not mean that I should abandon it.
From Karen Shakhnazarov’s interview
to “Izvestia”
The novel of Ilya Boyashov, on which
the film is based, captured my attention
at once. The duel between a soldier and
a tank gives a unique possibility to show
the war from an unusual perspective. So
in was the plot that inspired me first of all.
It is in fact “Moby-Dick” with a tank in the
place of the whale. And I like “Moby-Dick”
so much.
From Karen Shakhnazarov’s interview
to “cinemotionlab.com”
3 / SYNOPSIS
World War Two is drawing to a close. Furious and prolonged fighting is exhausting both
the Soviet and the fascist troops. The more decisive the advance of the Soviet army,
the more often White Tiger, a huge, indestructible fascist tank, appears in the battlefield.
It relentlessly emerges from the smoke of combat, ruthlessly destroys the adversary and
swiftly vanishes. No one can either verify or refute its existence. However, the Soviet
military command decides to build an extraordinary tank – a special version of the T-34.
The crew of this tank is headed by a man with a remarkable past, a tank crewman who
was almost burnt alive in combat and doomed to death. Contrary to all expectations, he
survives, recovers and returns to the ranks. He does not know his own name, he does not
remember anything from his past, but he has acquired the unusual ability to understand
the language of tanks. He is sure that the elusive fascist tank exists and must be destroyed,
because White Tiger is the embodiment of war, its terror and its blood.
The pursuit of the mystic monster begins. Who will win in this duel?
Remaining true to documented events of the war and featuring historic personalities
(Zhukov, Hitler, Keitel) the film director adds to the story elements of mysticism, enriching
our understanding of the war to include the eternal struggle between Good and Evil.
The film WHITE TIGER is a major international project, starring celebrated Russian and
German actors.
4 / MAIN CAST
Naidyonov
Fedotov
Marshal Zhukov
Начальник Госпиталя
Hitler
Keitel
5 / MAIN CREW
Aleksey Vertkov
Vitaly Kishchenko
Valery Grishko
Vladimir Ilyin
Karl Kranzkowski
Christian Redl
Director
Writers
Director Of Photography
Cinematography
Production Designer
Set Decoration
Costume Design
Make-Up Artist
Composers
Sound Editor
Editor
Producers
Karen Shakhnazarov
Aleksandr Borodyanskiy, Karen Shakhnazarov
Aleksandr Kuznetsov
Alik Tagirov
Sergey Fevralev
Irina Ochina
Dmitry Andreev, Vladimir Nikiforov
Nina Kolodkina
Yuriy Poteenko, Konstantin Shevelyov
Gulsara Mukataeva
Irina Kozhemyakina
Karen Shakhnazarov, Galina Shadur
MAIN CREW AND MAIN CAST
DIRECTOR KAREN SHAKHNAZAROV
WRITER ALEKSANDR BORODYANSKIY
Born July 8, 1952 in Krasnodar.
Film director, script writer, producer, prose writer.
In 1975 graduated from VGIK (All-Union State Institute
of Cinematography), where he studied directing in Igor
Talankin’s workshop.
Since 1976 Karen Shakhnazarov has been directing films
produced at Mosfilm Studios.
Since 1987 – Art Director of Artistic Association Start (in 1990 renamed into Courier
Studio) of Mosfilm. Since 1991 Art Director and Chairman of the Board of Courier Studio
of Mosfilm Cinema Concern. Since 1998 – General Director of Mosfilm Cinema Concern.
Under his management the principal film studio of Russia overcame the deep crisis of
the nineties and grew into Europe largest, unique film production complex of the highest
world standards. Most of Russian film, TV, video content is produced at the facilities of
Mosfilm.
Born February 3, 1944 in Vorkuta.
In 1973 graduated from the screenwriting department of
VGIK (All-Union State Institute of Cinematography). In 1975
director G. Daneliya shot his famous film “Afonya” based
on A. Borodyanskiy’s diploma script.
After graduating from the institute he came to “Mosfilm”
where in 1974–1977 worked as the chief editor of the Comedies
and Musical Films artistic association. Since 1977 a freelancer. In 1988 he became
a member of the Board of Courier Studio of Mosfilm Cinema Concern.
The films directed by Karen Shakhnazarov were presented at many prestigious international
film festivals and won over twenty awards in various nominations. His film WARD NO. 6
was the official entry from Russia into the AMPAS Oscar awards competition for 2009 in
the Best Foreign Language Film category.
FILMS (SELECTED)
FILMS
2009—WARD NO. 6, writer with А. Borodyanskiy, director, general producer
2008—THE VANISHED EMPIRE, director, general producer
2004—THE RIDER NAMED DEATH, writer with А. Borodyanskiy, director, general producer
2002—THE STAR, author of the project, general producer of the project
2000—POISONS, OR THE WORLD HISTORY OF POISONING, writer with А. Borodyanskiy, director
1998—DAY OF THE FULL MOON, writer with А. Borodyanskiy, director
1995—AMERICAN DAUGHTER, writer with А. Borodyanskiy, director
1993—DREAMS, writer and director with А. Borodyanskiy
1991—ASSASSIN OF THE TSAR, (the USSR–UK) writer with А. Borodyanskiy, director
1988—ZERO CITY, writer with А. Borodyanskiy, director
1986—COURIER, writer, director
1985—WINTER NIGHT IN GAGRA, writer with А. Borodyanskiy, director
1983—JAZZMEN, writer with А. Borodyanskiy, director
1980—LADIES ASK GENTLEMEN, writer with А. Borodyanskiy
1979—KIND-HEARTED ONES, co-writer, director
A. Borodyanskiy is one of Russia’s leading screenwriters, author and co-author of scripts
to more than thirty feature films. Films based on his scripts participated in numerous
Russian and international film festivals, where they won many prizes and awards.
2009—WARD NO. 6, director K. Shakhnazarov
2004—THE RIDER NAMED DEATH, director K. Shakhnazarov
2002—TYCOON, director P. Lungin
2000—POISONS OR THE WORLD HISTORY OF POISONING, director K. Shakhnazarov
1999—RIFLEMAN OF THE VOROSHILOV REGIMENT, director S. Govorukhin
1998—THE DAY OF FULL MOON, director K. Shakhnazarov
1995—AMERICAN DAUGHTER, director K. Shakhnazarov
1993—DREAMS, director K. Shakhnazarov
1992—A SMALL GIANT OF BIG SEX, director N. Dostal
1991—KGB AGENTS FALL IN LOVE TOO, director S. Alarkon
1991—ASSASSIN OF THE TSAR, director K. Shakhnazarov
1988—ZERO CITY, director K. Shakhnazarov
1987—DEJA VU, director Yu. Makhulsky
1986—COURIER, director K. Shakhnazarov
1985—A WINTER NIGHT IN GAGRA, director K. Shakhnazarov
1983—JAZZMEN, director K. Shakhnazarov
1975—AFONYA, director G. Danelia
MAIN CREW AND MAIN CAST
ACTOR ALEKSEY VERTKOV
Born March 31, 1982 in Novosibirsk. Studied at Novosibirsk Theatre School. Starting
1998 was engaged as actor in the Novosibirsk Drama Theatre.
In 2005 graduated from the directing department of GITIS (actors group, workshop of
S.Zhenovatch). Since 2005 has been engaged in The Studio of Theatre Arts directed
by S. Zhenovatch.
Vertkov received the Best Actor Award at the International Theatre Festival in Warsaw
(2005) where the play “Boys” was presented. In 2006 he was given the award of Mikhail
Tsarev “for mastering the art of acting”. In 2009 his role in the film WARD NO. 6 by Karen
Shakhnazarow won him the Best Actor Award at the XVII Damascus nternational Film
Festival.
Today Vertkov is engaged in many productions in The Studio of Theatre Arts, in the
cinema, and in recordings of drama performances for the radio.
FILMS (SELECTED)
2010—THE GUY FROM MARS, director S. Osiryan
2010—MY JOY, director S. Loznitsa
2010—THE TRUCE, director S. Proskurina
2009—WARD NO. 6, director K. Shakhnazarov
2009—PETE ON THE WAY TO HEAVEN, director N. Dostal
2008—TEQUILA, director V. Dashevsky
2008—STRANGERS, director Yu. Grymov
2007—THE RUNAWAYS, director Yu. Razykov
2007—THE BANISHMENT, director A. Zvyagintsev
2006—THE GOALKEEPER, director A. Sanatin
MAIN CREW AND MAIN CAST
ACTOR VITALY KISHCHENKO
Born May 25, 1964 in Krasnoyarsk. In 1985 graduated from Krasnoyarsk Art Institute.
Worked in Krasnoyarsk Youth Theatre, Kaliningrad Drama Theatre, Omsk Drama Theatre.
Since 1989 Kishchenko is an actor of Kaliningrad Youth Theatre («Tilzit-Teatr»).
He received “Recognition” award for the part of Othello in the theatre production
of Shakespeare’s play.
Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation (2005).
FILMS (SELECTED)
2011 —MOSCOW NOT MOSCOW, director S. Sentsov
2011 —TARGET, director A. Zeldovich
2009—THE MIRACLE, director A. Proshkin
2008—A LAKE, director P. Grandrieux
2008—STONE HEAD, director F. Yankovskiy
2008—THE GHOST, director K. Oganesyan
2007—SOARING, director A. Mindadze
2007—THE BANISHMENT, director A. Zvyagintsev
2003—LITHUANIAN TRANSIT, director E. Kubilius
1995—I AM A RUSSIAN SOLDIER, director A. Malyukov
MAIN CREW AND MAIN CAST
ACTOR VALERY GRISHKO
Born 1951. Graduated from the Institute for Culture named
after Krupskaya, then from St.-Petersburg State Theatre
Arts Academy, class of G. Tovstonogov.
In 1985–2008 he worked as director in The Komissarjevsky
Drama Theatre in St.Petersburg
Since 2009 – Chief Director in Gorky Drama Theatre
in Samara.
FILMS (SELECTED)
2011 —SCHISM, director N. Dostal
2011 —PETER THE FIRST, director V. Bortko
2011 —HOTEL LUX, director L. Haussmann
2007—A MATTER OF HONOUR, director A. Chernykh
ACTOR VLADIMIR ILYIN
Born 1947 in Sverdlovsk. In 1969 graduated from
Sverdlovsk Drama School. Worked in theatres of Kazan
and Moscow, from 1974 to 1989 was an actor in The
Mayakovsky Theatre in Moscow.
His first film role in the picture “My Favourite Clown”
won him popularity with the public. His inconspicuous
appearance and undoubted talent attracted film directors
of the nineties. Ilyin is one of the most successful Russian actors of today. He received
numerous awards at Russian and international film festivals, including Best Actor Award
of the 31st Moscow IFF for the part of Ragin in the film “Ward No. 6”.
People’s Artist of Russia (1999).
FILMS (SELECTED)
2010—DON’T BE SAD, director I. Bychkov
2009—TARAS BULBA, director V. Bortko
2009—WARD NO. 6, director K. Shakhnazarov
2008—THE VANISHED EMPIRE, director K. Shakhnazarov
2007—WAR AND PEACE, director R. Dornhelm
2005—THE TURKICH GAMBIT, director D. Faysiev
2000—THE CAPTAIN’S DAUGHTER, director A. Proshkin
1998—THE DAY OF FULL MOON, director K. Shakhnazarov
1994—BURNT BY THE SUN, director N. Mikhalkov
1993—MAKAROV, director V. Khotinenko
1992—ENCORE, ONCE MORE ENCORE!, director P. Todorovskiy
1990—STALIN’S FUNERAL, director E. Evtushenko
1990—LOST IN SIBERIA, director A. Mitta
1988—ATTORNEY SEDOV, director E. Tsymbal
1986—MY FAVOURITE CLOWN, director Yu. Kushnerev
MAIN CREW AND MAIN CAST
ACTOR KARL KRANZKOWSKI
ACTOR CHRISTIAN REDL
Born 1953 in Drieberg near Schwerin, Germany.
Studied acting at the Staatliche Schauspielschule in
Rostock from 1976 to 1979. He was an actor in theatres
in Nordhausen, Bautzen und Magdeburg. In 1989–1997
ensemble member at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin.
First film role in the picture “Forbidden Love”, 1989, DEFAFilm Studio.
Since 1992 Kranzkowski has acted in numerous TV series and films.
Born in 1948 in Schleswig, Germany.
Studied in Schauspielschule Bochum, worked in theatres
in Wuppertal, Frankfurt, Bremen und Hamburg.
In 1986 he played his first film role in “Sierra Leone”.
Redl features in many TV series and international
productions.
FILMS (SELECTED)
FILMS (SELECTED)
2008—SAVIORS IN THE NIGHT, director Ludi Boeken
2007—MRS. RATCLIFFE’S REVOLUTION, director Bille Eltrigham
2006—THE CLOUD, director Gregor Schnitzler
2006—RAUCHZEICHEN, director Rudolf Thome
2004—DOWNFALL, director Oliver Hirschbiegel
2004—WOMAN DRIVING, MAN SLEEPING, director Rudolf Thome
2003—RED AND BLUE, director Rudolf Thome
2002—A SHIP IS COMING, director Pepe Planitzer
2001—FOUR FRIENDS, FOUR PAWS, director Gabriele Heberling
2000—HIGHWAY SOCIETY, director Mika Kaurismaki
1999—ST. PAULI NIGHT, director Soenke Wortmann
2008—POPE JOAN, director Soenke Wortmann
2007—KRABAT, director Marco Kreuzpaintner
2007—YELLA, director Christian Petzold
2004—DOWNFALL, director Oliver Hirschbiegel
2002—TATTOO, director Robert Schwentke
1999—ST. PAULI NIGHT, director Soenke Wortmann
1998—THE TRIO, director Hermine Huntgeburth
1998—SOLO FOR CLARINET, director Nico Hofmann
1996—LEA, director Ivan Fila
1995—THE INFILTRATOR, director John Mackenzie
MAIN CREW AND MAIN CAST
6 / MOSFILM CINEMA CONCERN
CINEMATOGRAPHER ALEKSANDR KUZNETSOV
History of Mosfilm Cinema Concern dates back to November 1923, when shooting of
the first feature film «Awing skyward» directed by the first head of the cinema studio Boris
Mukhin started.
In 1927 solemn laying of the foundation stone of the cinema town took place at Vorobyevy
Gory, and in the beginning of 1931 cinematographic activity started. The present name
was given to «Mosfilm» in 1936.
In 1947 in the film Spring directed by Grigory Aleksandrov the famous symbol – “Worker
and Kolkhoz Woman” monument by V. Mukhina with the Kremlin Spasskaya Tower in
the background - first appeared as a screen brand of Mosfilm.
Many of over 2500 motion pictures produced by Mosfilm since its foundation belong to
the golden fund of world cinematography, they won numerous awards at different cinema
festivals and contests in home country and abroad.
At different times distinguished film directors worked at «Mosfilm» studio: S. Eisenstein,
A. Dovzhenko, A. Pudovkin, I. Pyr’ev, G. Aleksandrov, S. Yutkevich, M. Romm,
G. Chukhrai, M. Kalatozov, A. Ptushko, A. Tarkovskii, V. Shukshin, S. Bondarchuk,
L. Gaidai, L. Shepitko, Yu. Ozerov, and many others.
Mosfilm is the leading enterprise of the cinema industry, where the major part of Russian
audio-visual production is made. Most films released in Russia over the recent years
were made at Mosfilm.
The fourteen film stages and four shooting locations are always ready for use by film
units. Today they shoot everything here: motion pictures, TV series, commercials,
music video, and many other types of audiovisual content. Mosfilm is the largest and
technologically most advanced film-making resource in Russia and in Europe, able to
provide for complete motion picture production cycle from script writing to final film print.
Film stages and filming equipment, actors database and archives of unique information
materials, collections of retro automobiles, arms and costumes, state-of-the-art sound
recording and editing studios, film editing and film processing – Mosfilm comprises all
these. More than a hundred projects a year can be executed at the studios.
All these facets make up an integrated unique potent structure, providing for production
of films and other types of audiovisual content, which can compete well in the world
markets.
Russian feature films created at Mosfilm participate in domestic and international film
festivals. The high artistic and technological achievements of these films are endorsed
by major professional awards and success with wide audience.
Born 1974. In 2002 graduated from VGIK (All-Union State
Institute of Cinematography), cinematography department.
FILMS
2011 —SLOVE, derector Yu. Kovalev
2010—ABOVE THE CITY, director Yu. Mazurova
2010—EVERYTHING IS OK, MOM!, director F. Popov
2009 — OLEG KULIK: CHALLENGE AND PROVOCATION, director E. Mitta
2009—WARD NO. 6, director K. Shakhnazarov
2007—20 CIGARETTES, director A. Gornovskiy
2006—THE TRUE HISTORY OF FILM MUSIC (doc.), director R. Saulskiy
2005—WANDERER, director S. Karandashov
2004—A BLIND MAN’S DREAM, director S. Padalka
2003—FAREWELL (short), director M. Saakyan
2003—KIRA (doc.), director V. Nepevny
PRODUCTION DESIGNER SERGEY FEVRALEV
Born 1973 in Samara.
Fevralev works both for theatre and film productions.
FILMS
2009—A GAME OF BRIDGE, director A. Karelin
2009—GOOD FOLKS, director A. Karelin
2009—THE CINESE GRANDMOTHER, director V. Tumaev
2009—IVAN THE TERRIBEL, director A. Eshpay
2008—MONAKHOV FLYING AWAY, director A. Dzyublo
2008—KINGS ARE ALLMIGHTY, director A. Chernyaev