18/02/2005 - In Solnze, Aleksandr Sokurov - a frequent guest in Berlin - keeps exploring his gallery of historical characters looking back on their lives as they grow old.

In Solnze (The Sun), Aleksandr Sokurov – a frequent guest in Berlin- keeps exploring his gallery of historical characters looking back on their lives as they grow old. In 1999, Moloch depicted Hitler and in 2000, Taurus dealt with Lenin. The final part of the trilogy, Solnze, is about the Japanese emperor Hirohito.
In August 1945, after the emperor launched an appeal for his army and people to capitulate, the American troups–led by General Douglas McArthur – settled in the Japanese islands. The emperor took all responsability for his government’s decision, and was taken to a military court. Later on, he renounced his ‘divine origins’ before his people. The film goes beyond official proceedings and shows the human aspects of these events, as, for instance, the meeting between the American general (Robert Dawson) and the Japanese emperor (Issey Ogata). "My films are not about dictators, Sokurov points out, they depict exceptional people who have in their hands considerable power, and the opportunity to notice that humanity is stronger than this".

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Sokurov, who decided to handle picture direction himself, confirms the talent he has always shown as a real/reel painter. The images in his film are not only beautiful but they also show complete technical mastery up to the smallest detail. Sokurov uses his favourite colours, grey and blue, in all their variations, for a light veil of fog surrounds them, creating a magic halo around his characters. By alternating official ceremonies and private meetings, Sokurov disrupts excessive solemnity, as Chaplin used to do. By showing both tragic moments and amusing situations, the director explores all the sides of his character like a complex prism.
Four countries were involved in the production of Solnze. Indeed, the film was produced by Nikola Film (Russia), Proline Film (Russia), Downtown Pictures (Italy), Mact Productions (France), and Riforma Film (Switzerland). International sales are managed by the English company The Works .