Reviews

This is a remarkable film about an Artist whose work and passionate ideology and fervor spanned tumultuous years of upheaval and chaos in Russia and Europe. I am speaking of the early years of the 20th Century, when Art, Politics and Religion were in the forefront of a seemingly endless wave of innovation, change and optimistic hope for the future. Director LUCY KOSTELANETZ has captured this brief spark of Revolution and Artistic passion for us in her documentary film, SONIA. The film tells this poignant story through the use of personal recollections, photo montage, real and imagined interviews and accounts of fervent idealism, passionate romance and quiet desperation. This biographical extravaganza will appeal to women, men and young people of all ages and will encourage them to seek further information about the lives and times of a remarkable group of artists and social Revolutionaries whose brief spark of hope and regeneration is still alive within us today. You will leave the viewing experience with a feeling of hope and a newly recharged curiosity about the illuminatingly transient and visually captivating paintings, drawings and other artwork of SONIA DYMSHITZ-TOLSTAYA [1886 - 1963].

An incredibly good pastel/noir film that will keep you riveted to the screen through out the run. Hats off to the Director and especially the Photographer, Tony Morrone. The movie moves the viewer along as if in a dream with beautiful background music and continuity. The definition of "funeral parasites", as individuals who stalk people who are vulnerable and are mourning their loss of loved ones is very poignant. All of the actors play their roles very well - shades of Canterbury Tales. Let's hope this brilliant Director will bring us more masterpieces. I have heard that this film is amateurish and dysfunctional but isn't that what life itself is? Watch this film for yourself and see if you don't agree that it is remarkable.

This is my favorite movie of all time. I think the performance by Anna Magnanni, Marisa Pavan and the rest of the cast were superb. I have lived in Key West for the past 40 years and during that time I have watched the movie many times. All of the locations/scenes shot in the movie are still intact. Serafina's home is still a residence here, the grocery store where she shopped is still here (as a private residence), the Catholic church she attended (in reality it is Episcopal) is still here, the school where the dance took place is still a school here, and the bar scene is still here. When you visit Key West, you can feel the mood and ambiance of the movie even today and the characters from the film seem to come to life. I realize that it was supposed to take place in New Orleans. However, it was a stroke of good luck/genius that it was filmed here in Key West (Tennessee's home is still here) and the story, the film and the memories of the filming are still very much alive here. When you come here take a moment and see if you don't agree.

When my mother took me to see this film in 1946 at the Leland Theater in Taft, Texas, I was 7 years old. This movie set a standard ,for me,of motion picture excellence and expectation that has never wavered. I am not saying that this is the greatest movie ever made, I am just expressing or rather trying to convey the power of this film over the rather naive mind of a young boy. Judith Anderson became my role model of female intuition and cohesiveness. Every time I watch a movie (and I have watched literally thousands over the years), I communicate with her and wait for her voice to put it into perspective. She was a remarkable actress whose theatrical actions were a combination of dance and music that revealed hidden truths and subtle whispers about life, death and our invisible role within it.

I know this movie may seem slow and old fashioned to many younger viewers, but to a person, such as myself, who has seen thousands of movies over the years, this movie is very appealing and enjoyable. It provides a moment of relaxation and simple human emotional fulfillment. The lead female role is very well played and very believable. The actress reminds me of Dolores Del Rio. The other characters are highly stereotyped but that focuses emphasis upon the female lead who carries the story from beginning to end. It is in reality a modern adaption of a morality tale similar to Chaucer. It contains all of elements of a story - mystery, romance, misunderstanding, fear, drama, confusion and eventual resolution. I highly recommend this movie.