Reel Rewind: “Anton Chekhov’s The Duel”

English title – “Anton Chekhov’s The Duel” / Russian language title – “А. П. Чехова "Дуэль"
As I do not speak, read, or write Russian, and since, as of this post, there is no actual Russian version of this film, the Russian language title was obtained through an online translation site. Thought it would be interesting to see the film title in the language of the source material’s author.

The setting in which I saw “Anton Chekhov’s The Duel” was a preview screening presented by the Laemmle Sneak Preview Club, an activity of the Laemmle theatre chain. Since seeing the film was free, the small theatre was full, but I managed to sit in the general area that I like despite the fact I arrived a few minutes before the scheduled start time (a sporting event delayed me). A young man introduced the film and said that people should “stay put” after the screening for the Q & A with one of the film’s producers – Donald Rosenfeld. Gee, usually one invites people to stay for the Q & A or to join the after film discussion, or even a “please remain seated”, but the phrase “stay put” was a bad choice of words or perhaps he was channeling the character of Von Koren and his Germanic tendencies.

Von Koren is one element of the duality brought forth in “Anton Chekhov’s The Duel”, representing rationality and the other element is the main character, Laevsky, representing irrationality. Filming a work of literature is always problematic – how true to the story does one stay, which aspects can be eliminated, what can be added (or should anything be added). I am in the midst of reading Chekhov’s novella and the on screen depiction of scenes I’ve already read are very good and the film seems to have captured the pacing of the piece and the summertime life in the Caucasus. The conflict in the small Caucasian town is between Laevsky and von Koren, young men with different philosophies in the approach to living. Laevsky, a government official who is living with a married woman, spends his time sleeping, drinking, playing cards and working as little as possible. Von Koren, a zoologist who has ambitions to undertake a mapping expedition in the northeastern part of Russia, disapproves of the life Laevsky lives and its influence on the people of the town. Von Koren very much wants to eliminate Laevsky and prevent him from propagating and spreading his less-than-ideal way of life. Darwinism in practice.

Perhaps filming in the Caucasus would have been ideal, but the stand-in Croatia provides wonderful scenery for the pivotal picnic and duel scenes. Nadia, the married woman living with Laevsky, reveals aspects of her character (inebriation and flirtation) at the picnic that are not at all flattering, but certainly compliment Laevsky. A match in immorality? I like the location of the duel between one-time friends Laevsky and von Koren in the cave – the closeness and compactness adds to the tension of the event and affords limited physical and emotional escape. And yet escape is still possible for both – will they take it? Usually I am impervious to the music of a film, but the score of “Anton Chekhov’s The Duel” is lovely and contributes to the atmosphere of the slow, easygoing life in the Caucasus town. Secondary characters – Marya, Samoylenko, Sheshlovsky – add simpler perspectives to the intellectual discussions initiated by Laevsky and von Koren. I am looking forward to finishing the novella and the film has only increased my desire to do so.

I did “stay put” for the Q & A with Donald Rosenfeld, but only because the sporting event that delayed my arrival had ended and not in victory for the team I supported. No celebration for me. The interviewer was a film critic from the “LA Weekly” and Donald talked about wanting to go with unknowns for the film, but who did have acting experience. Financing the project and all the surrounding activities took four years for the film to be completed. Donald told the usual movie stories of substitutions, changes, and improvisations during the production. My departure from the theatre was less hectic than my arrival, but I went as quickly as I could home to minimize hearing the sounds of celebration for a victory that was not mine. At least the evening had provided enjoyment of another kind. The sporting event duel may have been a dud for me, but “Anton Chekhov’s The Duel” was a winner.


Film Facts: Director: Dover Koshashvili, Writer/Producer: Mary Bing, Novelist: Anton Chekhov, Cinematographer: Paul Sarossy, Editor: Kate Williams, Musician: Angelo Milli, Producers: Suza Horvat, Per Melita, Igor Nola, Frank Pavich, Donald Rosenfeld, Production Company: Duel Productions

Film Type: Drama, Cast: Andrew Scott (Laevsky), Fiona Glascott (Nadia), Tobias Menzies (Von Koren), Niall Buggy (Samoylenko), Nicholas Rowe (Sheshkovsky), Michelle Fairley (Marya), Simon Trinder (Postal Superintendent), Debbie Chazen (Olga), Graham Turner (Atchmianov Senior), Jeremy Swift (Deacon), Length: 95’, Language: English, Country: United States, Year: 2009
United States release date Friday 18 June 2010


Images:
Left: Front side of the ticket for “Anton Chekhov’s The Duel”
Center: Graphic interpretation of “Anton Chekhov’s The Duel” created by Adrean Darce Brent

Right: Front side of the “Anton Chekhov’s The Duel” postcard