The Island
Director: Pavel Lungin
Ostrov
Writer: Dmitri Sobolev
Released: 23 November 2006 (Russia)
"He has played so many well-meaning jokes on the locals and other monks, but the grand
joke is on him, tricked by God into a life of faithfulness and the healing of others."
Synopsis:
Somewhere in Northern Russia in a small Russian Orthodox
monastery lives a very unusual man. His fellow-monks are
confused by his bizarre conduct. Those who visit the island
believe that the man has the power to heal, exorcise demons
and foretell the future. However, he considers himself
unworthy because of a sin he committed in his youth. The
film is a parable, combining the realities of Russian everyday
life with monastic ritual and routine.
http://www.amazon.com/Ostrov-Island-version-English-subtitles/dp/B000LTTOOS
Before you watch the film, consider the following questions to guide your reflection:
The Island has been perceived around the world, both by film critics and audience members,
as a symbolic work for Russia today – a parable of sorts.
Pavel Lungin’s The Island was shown in Voronezh with no free seats. The local clergy booked the entire
movie theater… A day before the first show, the Metropolitan of Voronezh and Borisoglebsk gave an order to post
the AD for the coming premier next to the schedule of worship in all of the city’s forty churches. The parish was
surprised: never before were films advertised in churches… Father Andrei, a secretary of the eparchy comments:
“The Metropolitan has watched the film and, therefore, we recommend it to the clergy and the parish.” … The
show started with a prayer… Prior to the screening everybody crossed themselves… Petr Mamonov, the actor: “To
me it means that our church is alive.” The clergy thanked Mamonov. By saying that “He played a monk so
truthfully,” they were asking whether he knew the prayers or had learnt them specifically for the role. Mamonov: “I
didn’t learn them, but I was praying in earnest. The struggle with sin is too familiar to me.”
http://www.kinokultura.com/2007/15r-island.shtml
1. One can see some of this symbolism just by looking at the difference between the three
main characters in the movie (the three monks) and how they represent three different
ways of interpreting Faith. In the space below, list words that describe each of the monks
and their approach to Faith:
Father Anatoli
Father Filaret
Father Iov
A Fool for Christ’s Sake . . .
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he
must become foolish, so that he may become wise.
(1 Corinthians 3:18-19)
One form of the ascetic Christian life is called foolishness for the sake of Christ. The fool-for-Christ set for
himself the task of battling within himself the root of all sin, pride. In order to accomplish this he took on an unusual
style of life, appearing as someone bereft of his mental faculties, thus bringing upon himself the ridicule of others. In
addition he exposed the evil in the world through metaphorical and symbolic words and actions. He took this ascetic
endeavor upon himself in order to humble himself and to also more effectively influence others, since most people
respond to the usual ordinary sermon with indifference. The spiritual feat of foolishness for Christ was especially
widespread in Russia. –
(Excerpted from The Law of God, Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY: 1993
2. Father Anatoly is often depicted as being harsh, rude and teasing in his interactions with
others. He is believed to be a starets (or Elder) by many people who flock to him for
guidance despite his seemingly "unsaintly" behaviour. He is ultimately revealed as a great
man of God even though he does not always attend the church services with the other
monks and is disruptive when he does attend. He also plays pranks on the brethren.
What are your thoughts on this concept of a “Fool for Christ?” Does that seem genuine or
disrespectful to you? Have you ever experienced someone who shared similar qualities?
3. Other viewers have been struck by the following themes in the film. How many of them
resonate with your response?
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Father Anatoly's spiritual discipline of severe physical asceticism
The coal-house as a symbol of hell
The relationship between Father Job and Father Anatoly and how it is ultimately transformed
How people are often ungrateful even after miracles have been worked in their lives
How people get caught in the spiritual traps of their worldly possessions
Father Anatoly's moments of doubt and uncertainty as to why he has been chosen by God
Father Anatoly's personal knowledge of the demon that has possessed the young widow
The symbolic similarities of Father Anatoly's death and burial with the Baptismal service
The Island is a powerful film, and in fact, the main actor himself, Pyotr Mamonov, left his
rock star life behind a few years ago to devote himself to religion.
“Mamonov was one of the few rock musicians from former USSR who managed to achieve recognition
abroad, through his collaboration with Brian Eno in the late 1980s. Around the same period he started
acting in film, and over the next decade wrote, produced and acted in several one-man theatrical
performances establishing himself as a cult figure in Russia.
In the 1990s, Mamonov converted to Orthodox Christianity, left the capital, and settled in a village. He
returned to play the lead role in Pavel Lungin's religious film "The Island" (Russian "Остров"), which
closed the 2006 Venice Film Festival. His acting in the film was praised by Alexis II, Patriarch of Moscow,
and won him a Best Actor Nika Award.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_Mamonov
4. This film is very different from religious or spiritually centered American films such as The
Passion of the Christ, or The Nativity Story? Which type of film speaks more directly to
your experience of Faith and the life of a Christian? Why?
Lenten Discussion on the film The Island
Date: Saturday, April 2, 2011
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Shrewsbury, MA
All are welcome!