Sergei Loznitsa Discusses Authoritarianism and His Film Adaptation of Georgy Demidov's Novel

In an interview, filmmaker Sergei Loznitsa reflects on the persistence of authoritarianism across societies and discusses his cinematic adaptation of Georgy Demidov's novel 'Dos fiscales.' Loznitsa, born in 1964 in Baranovitchi (now Belarus) and raised in Kiev, initially worked as a scientist at the Institute of Cybernetics in Ukraine before studying at the Russian State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) in Moscow. He has directed numerous documentaries and fiction films, earning awards such as the FIPRESCI prize at Cannes in 2012 for 'In the Fog' and the Un Certain Regard Best Director award in 2018 for 'Donbass.' His latest project adapts Demidov's novel, which was written in 1969 but only published in 2009 after manuscripts were confiscated by the KGB in 1980 and returned in 1988. The story follows a Soviet prosecutor during Stalin's purges, exploring themes of individual powerlessness against state machinery. Loznitsa aimed to remain faithful to the original text while incorporating broader philosophical contexts, citing influences from Gogol and Kafka. He notes that the film uses static shots and a specific aspect ratio to evoke the historical period. Loznitsa emphasizes the ongoing relevance of Stalin-era terror, linking it to contemporary totalitarian regimes and the need for new language to address complex global challenges. He previously directed the documentary 'The Trial' in 2017, using archival footage from a 1930 Stalinist show trial. The interview underscores Loznitsa's view that no society is immune to authoritarianism, and historical tragedies require continued study and reflection.