description The New Babylon Overview
Grigori Kozintsev’s *The New Babylon* (1929) is a significant Soviet silent drama exploring themes of revolution and social upheaval through the lens of the Paris Commune. Filmed in the early 1920s, it showcases innovative cinematic techniques alongside Shostakovich's groundbreaking score – a landmark achievement in film music. The film’s powerful narrative and artistic merit make it valuable for students of cinema history, silent film enthusiasts, and those interested in Soviet political and cultural developments during this period.
help The New Babylon FAQ
What historical event does The New Babylon depict?
The film is set around the Paris Commune of 1871, when revolutionary forces briefly governed Paris after France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Its central relationship crosses the divide between a politically engaged shop worker and a soldier ordered to suppress the Commune.
Who composed the score for The New Babylon?
Dmitri Shostakovich composed the original orchestral score, catalogued as Op. 18. It was his first major film score and uses musical quotation and sharp contrasts to comment on the action.
Was The New Babylon directed by Sergei Eisenstein?
No. It was directed by Grigori Kozintsev and Leonid Trauberg for the Soviet studio Lenfilm. Its rapid montage may remind viewers of Eisenstein's October, but the films were made by different directors.
Why do different versions of The New Babylon have different running times?
The film was cut after its initial 1929 release, and surviving restorations do not all use identical material or projection speeds. Modern presentations may also synchronize the images to reconstructed performances of Shostakovich's score, affecting the listed duration.
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