Watch Aelita

Aelita is a silent film from 1924, directed by Yakov Protazanov and based on a novel by Aleksey Tolstoy. The film is an innovative mix of science fiction, romance, and political commentary, set in both the real world of Soviet Russia and the imaginary planet of Mars. The film features stunning visuals, including avant-garde special effects and set designs, as well as memorable performances from its cast.

The story begins in Moscow, where the engineer Los (Nikolai Tsereteli) is obsessed with a book about a civilization on Mars. He spends his days dreaming about the amazing technology and beautiful women he imagines on the red planet. Meanwhile, in his own life, he is bored and unhappy in his arranged marriage to Natasha (Valentina Kuindzhi).

One day, a mysterious woman named Aelita (Yuliya Solntseva) appears to Los in a dream. She is the queen of Mars and invites him to visit her in a futuristic city. Los becomes obsessed with this dream and eventually builds a spaceship to travel to Mars, leaving behind his life on Earth.

On Mars, Los discovers a world that is both incredible and terrible. The advanced society is ruled by a totalitarian government that uses robots and mind control to keep the populace in line. Aelita is part of this ruling class, but she is also secretly sympathetic to the dissidents who wish to overthrow the government.

As Los becomes involved in the revolution, he falls in love with Aelita and helps her fight against her own oppressive regime. Meanwhile, back on Earth, Natasha becomes embroiled in her own political struggles as the Soviet government cracks down on dissidents.

The film's themes are complex and multi-layered, exploring issues such as individual freedom, class struggle, and the power of imagination. The striking visuals and special effects are still impressive today, especially considering the film was made almost a century ago. The costumes and set design are both futuristic and otherworldly, while also incorporating elements of Soviet propaganda.

The lead performances are all excellent, but Yuliya Solntseva stands out as Aelita. Her portrayal of the conflicted queen is both seductive and sympathetic, and she brings a sense of depth to the character that elevates the whole film. Nikolai Tsereteli also does an excellent job as the hapless engineer who becomes a hero, and Igor Ilyinsky is memorable as Gusev, a comic relief character who provides some lightness to the often-dark story.

Overall, Aelita is a fascinating example of early science fiction cinema. It is a visually stunning film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, with a cast of engaging characters and a story that still feels relevant today. If you're a fan of classic sci-fi or silent films, Aelita is definitely worth checking out.

Aelita is a 1924 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.