In this section, you will find films from my youth. This was a period when we, as students of the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute (KPI), were mastering the intricacies of filmmaking. Our film studio was unique among Soviet universities, boasting a full-cycle production facility for 35mm film. We had professional cinema cameras, developing machines, optical printers, and sound equipment capable of printing optical soundtracks. We even had a Moviola editing table straight from Hollywood—I now realize the name likely comes from the word “movie.”
At our studio, we produced a wide variety of content: from commissioned films marking the 85th anniversary of KPI to a propaganda short on the “preservation of bread” ordered by the Regional Communist Party Committee.
In the list below, the first film is mine; the others were directed by others, though I contributed as an actor, cinematographer, or assistant director. Back then, we had one main mentor and director—our teacher, Arkady Faustov.
It is worth noting that our studio produced many individuals who went on to become prominent figures in the film industry. Perhaps the most famous is Eugeny Mamut, who received an Academy Award (Oscar) in 1987 for his scientific and technical achievements in cinematography. Notably, his “optical stunt machine” was used to create the iconic camouflage effect for the movie Predator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
By the way, Evgeny’s wife, Irina Borisova, who is also the sister of my wife, Olga, created the animated film ‘The New Route‘ . Back in the 1980s, it was frequently broadcast on the USSR’s central television channels.
(The photo above shows our teacher, or ‘the Chief’ as we called him, giving me a directorial brief)
Hands Off
Language: Russian | Subtitles: English
This is my “skit” film made as a parody of our boss and mentor, Arkady Faustov. 1980.
Unfortunately, this film was intended more for internal use. That is precisely why it has that kapustnik (insider skit) feel to it. In other words, it is only fully understood by our studio members. Therefore, I find myself having to verbally describe what actually happened. It is recommended to read this after watching.
At our studio—which we called Lavka (The Little Shop)—the students would naturally change into sports clothes before movement classes. Before this act began, we ran a hidden microphone into the girls’ dressing room through an underground duct. For obvious reasons, it was impossible to install a hidden camera in those years; even the smallest ‘Konvas’ camera weighed about 5 kg (11 lbs).
Furthermore, we used ‘shills’—older girls who had already completed their training. It was common for these ‘veterans’ to occasionally drop by for a class. We had pre-arranged certain ‘trigger points’ during the changing process. For example,Sasha Golubchik (who later became the head director of Privat TV, the first commercial TV station in the USSR) would ‘accidentally’ walk in. The girls, naturally, screamed, and the audio was recorded.
Then, my plant, Mila, was supposed to approach one of the girls from behind, ostensibly to adjust her bra. In the process, she would ‘accidentally’ pinch her so that she cried out and turned her head. The goal was also to lead the girls into discussing ‘scandalous’ topics. In those years, the question ‘What is a homosexual?’ was considered such a topic.
What happened next? It’s simple. We filmed the missing footage afterward. The shills were filmed directly. The rest were shot using ‘reflected’ or detail shots—stockings, undershirts, etc. At the moment Mila pinches the subject, a guy in a wig takes her place on screen. When Golubchik enters and hears the girls’ screams, he delivers the punchline: ‘As if anyone would want you!’
What can I say? During the screening, some of the 18-to-20-year-old girls were in tears. They genuinely thought we had filmed them undressed. It was very difficult to calm them down and explain how the trick was actually pulled off.
Obituary
Language: Russian | Subtitles: English
At the same time, our boss was filming a movie “against” me. The difference was that the entire studio worked for him, while my film (above) was made by just the two of us.
Educational Aid
Language: Russian | Subtitles: English
This film isn’t mine, and I wasn’t involved in it as I was serving in the army at the time. It’s likely from 1979. But I love it. It’s a perfect practical guide for filmmaking—honestly, you don’t need anything else.
College Comedy Battle: KhPI vs. KhGU
Language: Russian | Subtitles: English
And this is the earliest film in my archive. I’m not in it—I was only in the 5th grade back then. This 1965 film was made as a “homework” assignment for a KVN (Club of the Funny and Inventive) competition.
April Fool’s Day
No Dialogue
Should Iago Wish
Language: Russian | Subtitles: English
A collaborative project with the drama group of our Students’ Palace. A joke on the theme of Shakespeare. I play the Director here.
The New Route – animated film
No Dialogue
The New Route: “The Bus” (1981) — KhPI — “How Beautiful This World Is…”
Sicilian Defense
Language: Russian (No subtitles)
Our studio student Yuri Brodsky’s coursework as a cinematographer at VGIK
Etude
No Dialogue
A cinematography coursework project by VGIK student Yura Brodsky. We filmed this at the RSFSR Artists’ Retreat near Vyshny Volochok.
… Other (8)
Axis: The Way It Was
No Dialogue
This film was made by my friends as a gift for one of my anniversaries. Quite well done!
Men’s Story
Language: Russian | Subtitles: English
This is my film adaptation of a famous Soviet-era joke. It’s a parody of a classic children’s poem by Samuil Marshak, “The Scatterbrain” (which every Soviet child knew by heart). In the original, the hero gets on a train and mistakenly stays in a decoupled carriage. In my version, the joke takes a political twist: “Fima was headed for the Urals but ended up in Philadelphia. What a scatterbrain, that son of Sarah Moiseyevna!”
Horse on Ice
No Dialogue
This is an episode from an unfinished film titled The Piano. We ran out of resources. I tell everyone that nobody has a piano like mine, and here’s why: In the early ’60s, my future chief of staff and friend, Arkady Bakman, bought this piano in Chukotka (the Far East). Then he moved to Siberia. Then to Kryvyi Rih. After that, his daughter married an officer and took it to Grozny. Later, they transferred to my city, Kharkiv. They had nowhere to keep it, so they gifted the piano to my daughter. That’s the piano we’re talking about.
A graduation thesis project by the same cinematographer from VGIK.
Walking Tour of Washington
No Dialogue
Our walks around Washington, D.C.
LA
Language: Russian | Subtitles: English
This is a very short video, but it is extremely relevant today given the great “love” for Russia.
Kharkiv Tour with Max Rosenfeld
Language: Russian (No subtitles)
In our Kharkiv, we have a city guide named Max. He gives wonderful tours of the city; he seems to have about seven different routes, each lasting around four hours—and it’s all on foot.
A very good April Fools’ film. Everyone says my performance in it was magnificent.
Pula Bridge Festival
No Dialogue
This film is a tribute to Tihana Brkljačić. For over 60 years, starting with her father and continuing with her, their family has been the heart of the magnificent Pula Bridge Festival in Croatia. This is my gift to her.
The SINT 50
Language: Russian (No subtitles)
The 50th Anniversary of the SINT Theater (Kharkiv).
🎬 Behind the Scenes