The master class by Russian auteur Aleksandr Sokurov at Doha Film Institute (DFI)’s Qumra defied conventions at many levels: he did not have pompous words of advice for emerging filmmakers nor did he offer many instances of learning from his own experience as a director.
Instead, he challenged conventions during the discussion in which, more than once, he questioned the credentials of cinema as an art form and chose to describe directors as “repeating, borrowing, stealing, observing and adopting” from all other forms of art.
Sokurov, a modern master whose film Russian Ark was shown in the Modern Masters Screening at Qumra, described the elaborate preparation that went into the single, 90-minute shot film. And that took to give one parting counsel for filmmakers: “You will have to know everything about the making of a film or you will not be able to guide your crew and get what you want from them.”
A deep understanding of all aspects of cinema was called in during the making of Russian Ark, for which even special computers were built, said Sokurov.
Unequivocal in stating that cinema must be “blamed for many things in life today”, he described literature as his own guiding force, especially Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment. He said he felt repulsion at the mix of crime and genius, and wanted to protest against the author.
That is why he continues to resist violence in cinema, stating he would prefer not to watch creepy, violent movies even if the filmmakers behind them are extremely talented. “For me, the ethical, spiritual side of death is more important – as a human being and director. There is no reason to romanticise violence, war or death.”
Recalling his association with legendary director Andrei Tarkovsky, with whom he shared a deep connection, Sokurov spoke at length about how they used to disagree over films, with Tarkovsky challenging Sokurov’s admiration for Federico Fellini’s movies. “No one had ever paid attention to me like he did ...  no one, not before or not after I met him.”
Personally, Sokurov believes that film is not an art form that can generate a masterpiece. “Literature, yes. Music, yes. But never ever in films. Films are what I would call ‘present continuous’. They never finish.” That is why he does not mind going back to his earlier films and relentlessly editing and trimming them.
Sokurov said the many components of film were already perfected by geniuses before. “Ernest Hemingway – he is the real master-editor; Mozart – principles of harmony and symphony were created by such geniuses. Films steal from them.”
Celebrating the power of literature, Sokurov, who has adapted works of literature to film, said his ideal moment is when after the screening of a film, the audience goes to the library to read more by the author.
His own rule in adapting works of literature is not to confront the writer. “Literature and film are like the snake and the bird. Which is better - crawling or flying? The snake would say crawling; the bird and man would say flying. Cinema is a snake; literature is a bird. There is nothing more important than to make a human being read a book.”
He said he was delighted to be in Qatar, which presented him with an opportunity to understand the region and Islamic art in its true essence.