- The Lower Depths
"The Lower Depths" ( _ru. На дне) is perhaps
Maxim Gorky 's best-known play. It was written during the winter of 1901 and the spring of 1902. Subtitled "Scenes from Russian Life," it depicted a group of lower-class Russians in a lodging house in Volga. Produced by theMoscow Arts Theatre onDecember 18 , 1902,Konstantin Stanislavski directed and starred. It became his first major success, and a hallmark of Russiansocialist realism .When it first appeared, "The Lower Depths" was criticized for its pessimism and ambiguous ethical message. The presentation of the lower classes was viewed as overly dark and unredemptive, and Gorky was clearly more interested in creating memorable characters than in advancing a formal plot. However, in this respect, the play is generally regarded as a masterwork.
The theme of harsh truth versus the comforting lie pervades the play from start to finish, as most of the characters choose to deceive themselves from the bleak reality of their condition.
Film versions
* 1936:
Jean Renoir (son of the Impressionist painterPierre-Auguste Renoir ) made a 1936 film of the same name adapting the story to a French setting.* 1946: Famous Indian Producer & Director, Chetan Anand began his career as a film director with
Neecha Nagar ("Lowly City"), in 1946, which was an adaptation of this short story inHindi .Neecha Nagar won thePalme d'Or (Best Film Award - then known as the 'Grand Prix'), at theCannes Film Festival in 1946, becoming the first Indian film to get international recognition [ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palme_d%27Or#Grand_Prix_du_Festival_International_du_Film_.281939-54.29 Grand Prix du Festival International du Film (1939-54)] ] [ [http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/features/chetan-anand-140607.html History will never forget Chetan Anand]June 13 ,2007 .] [ [http://www.thehindu.com/fr/2007/06/15/stories/2007061551020100.htm Maker of innovative, meaningful movies]The Hindu ,June 15 ,2007 .] .* 1957: Japanese director
Akira Kurosawa , adapted "The Lower Depths" into a film of the same name starringToshiro Mifune , in which the characters have been moved toEdo -periodJapan . It is often regarded as one of Kurosawa's greatest ensemble films, featuring a large cast of classic Kurosawa actors. The Japanese title of the film is "Donzoko".Pop Culture References
The afghan dog in the pound scene of
Lady and the Tramp mentions The Lower Depths when giving advice to Lady.References
External links
* [http://ilibrary.ru/text/505/ Full text of "Lower Depths" in the original Russian]
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