Her Deep, Serene World and the Beautiful Words She Weaves

“Crime and Punishment,” “The Brothers Karamazov,” “Demons,” “The Adolescent,” “The Idiot” – the monumental works of the undisputed master of Russian literature, Dostoevsky. Svetlana Geier, an 84-year-old translator, called these five novels her "five elephants" and dedicated her life to translating them into German. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1923, she experienced her youth under Stalin's regime and survived the turbulent era of Nazi occupation as an interpreter for the German army. Why did she choose to translate Dostoevsky?

Through the extraordinary life of one woman, this film delicately portrays the human spirit, elevated by the power of literature and unbowed by despair in the face of harsh fate.

Svetlana: Giving New Voice to Dostoevsky's Literature

Svetlana Geier, a translator from Ukraine, dedicated her life to translating five major works of Russian literary giant Dostoevsky into German. Even past the age of 80, she continued her translation work at home, living a quiet life.


However, her son, who was a factory instructor, suffered a severe head injury during a practical training session, leaving him half-paralyzed. She decided to take a leave from her translation work and university lectures to visit him daily at the hospital and care for her bedridden son. While preparing his meals, Svetlana Geier was struck by a sense of déjà vu. It was a door to her sealed past, connected to a memory involving her father.—.


The tranquil visuals that gently accompany her weave a tale of Svetlana Geier's profound love for literature.

Living with Dostoevsky

Opening Saturday, February 22nd, at Uplink Shibuya, Cinema Art Roppongi, and other theaters nationwide.

Directed and Written by Vadim Jendreyko

Starring: Svetlana Geier, Anna Gehrke, Hanna Hagena

Switzerland-Germany / 2009 / 93 min

http://www.uplink.co.jp/dostoevskii/