InDreAM Furniture

Abram Room's Bed and Sofa is quite different from the most famous Soviet silent films such as Battleship Potemkin, Earth or Mother. The Great Russian silents are usually full of propaganda, with stylised characters representing archetypes rather than individuals. Such films, while undoubtedly brilliant, can at times appear to be an exhibition of a director's particular theory of filmmaking. While Bed and Sofa uses typically fast "Russian editing", it is used unobtrusively and doesn't overwhelm the narrative. The characters in this film are believable individuals rather than revolutionary heroes or villains. The story is more about subtly exploring the way men and women treat each other, than about expressing propaganda points.

The film begins with Kolia and his wife Liuda living in a one room apartment. It is apparent that their marriage is not particularly happy. Kolia meets an old army friend Voldoia, who has come to Moscow to work. Without even asking his wife, Kolia offers to... Read more

I found this 2-disc DVD set even better than I anticipated, and I was impressed not only by the films themselves but by the musical score and optional commentary to "Bed and Sofa". The second disc even has the original versions of both films with Russian intertitles, but besides Russian letters and recognizable scenes of Moscow, there is nothing else in these films that smacks of Soviet propaganda. In fact, "Bed and Sofa" is a very human story everyone can relate to, thanks to the excellent direction by Abram Room who captures the moods and feelings of three people living in a small basement flat. The attention to details of domestic matters and the characters' emotions and reactions very effectively draws the viewer into their world so that a certain suspense of the outcome develops. And just when you are fully involved in their lives and think you know what will happen next, the final outcome is surprising and actually quite refreshing. For even deeper insight into the thoughts... Read more

Bed and Sofa (1927) was directed by Abram Room and remains his most well-known film. It tells the story of a ménage à trois (a very daring plot for Soviet cinema in the 1920s) between one woman (Liuda) and two men (Volodia and Kolia).

Brief Plot Summary (spoilers)

Volodia and Kolia were friends during the Revolution and meet up accidentally when Volodia attempts to find living space in Moscow, where Kolia and Liuda live a married life with a tabby cat. Kolia treats his wife as a child (perhaps without realizing how degrading he is being) and she lives entirely within the domestic space and seldom ventures outside.

Volodia begins an affair with Liuda. He participates in the housework, brings her magazines, and takes her on plane rides. Kolia, an extremely backbone-less man still lives in his same house with the other two. Most of the film takes place in the one-room apartment and the film's plot revolves around the changing fuctions of... Read more