| Sonya, based on the short story by Tatiana Tolstaya |
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Masters’ Cinema: Alvis Hermanis & New Riga Theatre Wed 19 December, 6pm Cinema Room Admission free 1,40’, recorded by Latvian Television Actors: Gundars Āboliņš and Jevgeņijs Isajevs, director: Alvis Hermanis, set designer: Kristīne Jurjāne, sound: Andris Jarāns, light: Krišjānis Strazdīts, stage manager: Linda Zaharova Performance in Russian  Once upon a time there was a person, but this person is no longer there. Only her name has remained – Sonia. Tatiana Tolstaya Tatyana Tolstaya’s story is the perfect example of one particular quality of contemporary Russian literature: it combines insightful observation and methaphor; its language is revealing and touching, grotesque and sad. Sonia is an impressionist portrait of a lonely woman who has been bitterly struck by fate. But this very incident becomes the greatest luck in her life. Sonia is a bit dense, a bit ugly, a bit lonely. But she has talents, too: she is an excellent cook, is skilled at sewing and knows how to get on other people’s nerves. One day Sonia receives a love letter, ardent and serious, and her heart is set aflame. Little does she realize that it was written by evil Ada, who will eventually change Sonia’s life forever. The character created by T. Tolstaya combines huge contrasts: an ugly outward appearance and a highly sensitive nature, a tough life and a tender soul. Latvian director Alvis Hermanis has cast an actor to interpret these polar opposites. ‘It’s not about impersonating a woman. It’s rather about understanding women. We do not play a woman, we try to create a female image, a character, and tell about her soul. I doubt that the soul has a gender.’ This production is especially marked by the particularity and authenticity of the setting. Private objects and furniture are being shown, revealing a lot about people. |