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PODCAST

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts

Cinephile, history fan, and one-time Muscovite Ally Pitts explores contemporary and Soviet-era Russian language cinema one film at a time! The show combines interviews and movie discussion, and features expert guests including authors, journalists, stand-up comedians, and indie podcasters. From time to time, it also tackles Hollywood’s attempts to bring aspects of Russian culture, literature, and history to the Silver Screen.

tv & film film reviews

All Episodes

01:15:32

Brother (Alexei Balabanov; 1997)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/08/16

Mark Bullen, author, former police officer, and expert on Russian organised crime joins Ally Pitts to discuss iconic '90s neo-noir crime drama Brother. It stars Sergei Bodrov Jr, Viktor Sukhorukov, Svetlana Pismichenko, Yury Kuznetsov, and Sergei Murzin. CONTENT WARNING: In the film, it is implied that a male character rapes a female character off-screen. SPOILERS from about 32 minutes in until the end. Mark's book Thief in Law, which is a guide to the tattoos and culture of Russian-speaking

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01:11:55

Aelita, Queen of Mars (Yakov Protazanov; 1924)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/08/02

Sarah Roberts, artist and podcaster,, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this early Soviet silent sci-fi adventure. SPOILERS from about 11 minutes in until the end. Aelita stars Nikolai Tsereteli, Valentina Kuindzhi, Yuliya Solntseva, Nikolai Batalov, and Pavel Pol. Check out Sarah's artwork here: http://sarahkathleenroberts.com/ The outro music is by Gamers in Exile, from their alternative soundtrack to the film and is used with their kind permission. The full version can be found here:

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01:27:58

Nicholas & Alexandra (Franklin J. Schaffner; 1971)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/07/17

Ayna Niyazova, artist and illustrator, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this Oscar-winning epic period drama that depicts the series of calamities that led to the downfall of the Romanov dynasty. SPOILERS from about 25 minutes in until the end. Nicholas & Alexandra stars Michael Jayston, Janet Suzman, Laurence Olivier, John McEnery, Michael Bryant, and Tom Baker. Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: https://ko-fi.com/russophilesunite The show's intro music is Cold by Sasha Ilyukevich and

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01:05:37

My Friend Ivan Lapshin (Aleksei German Sr; 1985)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/07/05

Martin Kessler, filmmaker and host of Flixwise: Canada joins Ally Pitts to discuss this 1930s-set film that is part memoir, part crime drama. CONTENT WARNING: the film depicts a suicide attempt. SPOILERS from about 23 minutes in until the end. Martin has also written a series of in-depth essays on Aleksei German Sr. and his films published by film site The Pink Smoke. My Friend Ivan Lapshin stars Andrei Boltnev, Nina Ruslanova, and Andrey Mironov. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and

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01:12:22

The Sun (Alexander Sokurov; 2005)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/06/21

Joel Torres, podcaster and film fan, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this unconventional biopic that focuses on Emperor Hirohito's response to Japan's defeat in World War II. SPOILERS from about 23 minutes in until the end. The Sun stars Issei Ogata and Robert Dawson. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite The show's intro music is Cold by Sasha

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01:02:24

The Barber of Siberia (Nikita Mikhalkov; 1998)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/06/07

Tracy Tanoff, podcaster, literature fan, and period drama connoisseur, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this sprawling late 1990s epic from the director of the 1994 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film winner Burnt by the Sun. The Barber of Siberia stars Julia Ormond, Oleg Menshikov, Alexei Petrenko, and Richard Harris. SPOILERS from about 12 minutes in until the end. CONTENT WARNING: a rape, while not depicted on screen, is a plot element. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate

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41:28

Andrei Rublev (Andrei Tarkovsky; 1966)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/05/24

Lyn Seren, man who likes interesting films and appreciator of dogs, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this historical epic/unconventional biopic of the famous Russian icon painter. Expect SPOILERS from about 7 minutes in until the end. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: ko-fi.com/russophilesunite Find out more about #PodRevDay, a way to support your favourite

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38:59

Window to Paris (Yuri Mamin; 1993)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/04/12

For the last episode of this batch, it's Window to Paris from 1993. It stars Sergey Dreyden, Agnes Soral, and Viktor Mikhaylov, and was directed by Yuri Mamin. Joining Ally to discuss the film are Carrie, & Lyn, who you may remember from such episodes as Irony of Fate, Loveless, Stalker, and Lady Macbeth. SPOILERS from about 6 minutes in until the end. If you'd like to get in touch and tell us what you thought of the film and/or the podcast episode, here are some ways you can do

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01:19:17

The Hound of the Baskervilles (Igor Maslennikov; 1981)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/03/29

Malcolm Nygard, writer and podcaster, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this Soviet take on one of the most famous Sherlock Holmes stories. SPOILERS from about 34 minutes in until the end. The Hound of the Baskervilles stars Vasily Livanov, Viktor Solomin and Nikita Mikhalkov, and was directed by Igor Maslennikov. SIGNIFICANT SPOILERS from about 34 minutes in until the end. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/russophilesunitemoviepodcast Support the

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01:18:11

Eastern Promises (David Cronenberg; 2007)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/03/15

Lydia Kapp, writer, actor, and artist, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this dark, violent London-set crime drama. CONTENT WARNING: the movie discussed on this episode contains depictions of sexual violence; human trafficking, and graphic violence. For more information, please visit: https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/eastern-promises-2007 SPOILERS from about 24 minutes in until the end. Eastern Promises stars Naomi Watts, Viggo Mortensen, Vincent Cassell, and Armin Mueller-Stahl. Lydia wrote and starred

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54:40

Through the Thorns to the Stars AKA To the Stars by...

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/03/01

Teegan Johnson, industrial psychologist and sci-fi fan, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this early 1980s curiosity. Listeners in the UK can support the show by picking up a book via our online affiliate bookshop. 10% of the sale will go towards covering the costs of running the show and you'll also be helping out independent bookshops! Visit our uk.bookshop.org affiliate store here! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and rate us on

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41:57

The Death of Stalin (Armando Iannucci; 2017)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/02/15

Matt Billingsley, editor and Iannucci aficionado, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this black comedy satire. It was effectively banned in Russia, but well-reviewed by Russian critics (if you don't read Russian, just count the thumbs-up). CONTENT WARNING: the movie depicts multiple executions and implied sexual assault off-screen. SPOILERS from about 10 minutes in until the end, although some things should be fairly easy to anticipate... The movie stars Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Jeffrey

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42:06

Loveless (Andrei Zvyagintsev; 2017)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/02/14

As a special Valentine's Day treat, we're watching Andrei Zvyagintsev's latest film, Loveless from 2017. The film stars Maryana Spivak, Aleksey Rozin, and Matvey Novikov. It has been nominated for a Bafta for Best Film Not in the English Language, and the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. To discuss the film, Ally is joined by former Moscow resident and self-described emergency back-up guest Carrie Pitts. We've tried to avoid SPOILERS but be aware that they may occur from about 6 minutes in

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01:04:01

Stalingrad (Fyodor Bondarchuk; 2013)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/02/01

This time around we're watching Stalingrad, from 2013 and directed by Fyodor Bondarchuk. The film stars Mariya Smolyakina, Yanina Studilina, Pyotr Fyodorov, Thomas Kretschmann, Sergey Bondarchuk, Dmitri Lysenkov, Andrey Smolyakov, Aleksey Barabash, and Oleg Volku. It was Russia's entry for Best Film in the 87th Oscars, but it ultimately wasn't nominated. To discuss the film, Ally is joined by former A-level film studies student and Chuckle Brother Award co-winner (2004) Patrick Say. This episode

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30:47

Lady Macbeth (William Oldroyd; 2016)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/01/18

Lyn Seren, film enthusiast, cat admirer, and car owner, joins Ally Pitts to discuss British film Lady Macbeth, which features a star-making performance by Florence Pugh. Expect SIGNIFICANT SPOILERS from 4 minutes in until the end. CONTENT WARNING: If you're planning to watch the film, you should be aware that it contains scenes of domestic violence and sexual assault. The film stars also Cosmo Jarvis, Paul Hilton, and Naomi Ackie. The screenplay is an adaptation of Nikolai Leskov's novella Lady

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01:06:10

Tsar (Pavel Lungin; 2009)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2018/01/04

Happy New Year, druzya! For our first film pick of 2018, we're watching historical drama Tsar from 2009, directed by Pavel Lungin and starring Pyotr Mamonov and Oleg Yankovskiy. To discuss the film, Ally is joined by co-host of High & Low: A Kurosawa Podcast and Russian history super-fan Spencer Seams. This episode contains moderate SPOILERs from 19 minutes in until the end. It also includes (at least) one significant factual error about Russian history by Ally. For. Shame. No actual prizes

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46:02

The Irony of Fate (Eldar Ryazanov; 1975) Special...

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2017/12/21

The film this time around is perennial Russian festive favourite The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy your Bath! from 1975. It was directed by Eldar Ryazanov and stars Andrey Myagkov, Barbara Brylska, and Yury Yakovlev (NOT Yakolev, like I kept saying on the episode). To discuss the film, Ally is joined by Russian language and literature grad and former Moscow resident Carrie Pitts. This episode is mildly SPOILER-y from 20 minutes in until the end. The show's intro music is Cold by Sasha Ilyukevich and the

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01:01:17

Moscow does not Believe in Tears (Vladimir Menshov;...

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2017/12/07

Jenny Shelton, writer and period drama enthusiast, joins Ally Pitts to review Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Picture winner for 1980 Moscow does not Believe in Tears, directed by Vladimir Menshov. Apparently, Ronald Reagan watched it a whole bunch of times, but please don't hold that against it. Expect SPOILERS from about 13 minutes in until the end. CONTENT WARNING: Please be aware that the film depicts a character being rape (mostly off-screen), and that we discuss this incident during

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01:01:40

[Pilot Episode] Stalker (Andrei Tarkovsky; 1979)

A Russian & Soviet Movie Podcast with Ally Pitts ·

2017/11/23

As the title suggests, this is the first one of these. Buy Zona by Geoff Dyer and support the podcast! The first ten minutes or so of the podcast are non-spoilery but from then on EXPECT SPOILERS. My guest is the most excellent Lyn Setchell. Many thanks to Owen Choules and Chris Mead of Classic Schmassic for their inspiration (and let's face it, essentially their format). If you'd like to get in touch, the Twitter handle is @RussophilesU and for longer messages, please email me at

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99 results

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