The Enchanted Desna: A Film Story

Olexandr Dovzhenko (1894-1956) was an outstanding Soviet Ukrainian film director, prose and script writer, and winner of USSR State prizes and the Lenin Prize. In 1958, at an international film festival in Brussels, his film "The Land" was included in the twelve best motion pictures of all times and peoples. Dovzhenko influenced the cinema of many countries, especially Italy.

Dovzhenko's world outlook and creative methods were shaped by the October Socialist Revolution of 1917. His films are a whole epoch in the history of Soviet cinema. Epic treatment of themes and profound lyricism are the main features of his works.

During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 Dovzhenko wrote several stories, sketches and publicistic articles. His best stories express his firm belief in the Soviet people's victory over the nazi invaders. In 1942, in his diary, Dovzhenko made the first entries about his childhood, which he later used in the autobiographical story "The Enchanted Desna" (1954-1955). It was not without reason that during this severe time for his country he wanted to write a book about the formation of a generation which was to build a new world and later defend it in the years of hard trials.

"The Enchanted Desna" is a real poem about the making of man, the moral beauty of those who work the land, and the charming nature of the author's native countryside. The story is imbued with deep lyricism and gentle humor. It would not be far-fetched to say that by writing this realistic and philosophical story Dovzhenko provided his readers with a key to understanding his entire heritage.