Plane songs: Lauren Sedofsky talks with Alexander Sokurov - Interview

ArtForum, Nov, 2001 by Lauren Sedofsky

LS: Is this linked to the Russian situation?

AS: I'm very disturbed by the fact that I'm Russian, that I live in a society that has been mentally ruined along with its very real economic ruin. It hampers the creation of that special world where incentive comes from art, because it is not enough to create a harmonious work; it is imperative to keep it from being stifled by a society in the grips of hatred and disaster. Unfortunately, Russia is still in such a state.

LS: Isn't that why the "men in power" tetralogy [of which Moloch and Taurus were the first two installments; Hirohito will be the next subject] puts a considerable burden on the viewer to bring his or her own "historical Imagination" to bear on the film?

AS: That's very accurate. Some basic historical knowledge is important background for the films made by our team, because we are oriented toward viewers who read, who know and think about history. We work for these people.