The multi-part animated film “Pushkin and… Mikhailovskoye’, directed by Katarina Gavryushkina, is an example of modern Russian animation, presenting a new interpretation of the myth of Russia’s most important literary figure to the widest possible audience. It may look like a children’s film, but only at first glance. Telling the story of Pushkin’s life in exile at his mother’s estate in the village of Mikhailovsky in the Pskov province, the animated series reveals constellations of references to the biography and work of Alexander Sergeyevich. And it is organised as a work of art – in the language of art, a single plot sews together the poet’s life and work, fantasy and reality. Each element and detail is an important guide for the viewer.

According to director Ekaterina Gavryushkina, the creators of the animated series “it was important not just to tell stories about Pushkin, even based on memories, letters and other evidence, but to show the successive changes, to record the spiritual, and with it the creative growth of our hero. And each series is a certain milestone, a step in depth, forwards and upwards”.

In order to show these complex spiritual changes and creative growth of Pushkin in exile, a difficult path was chosen: to revive the image of the hero, removing the seal of ideal and symbol from him, using biographical facts and testimonies as materials to reflect the inner world of the poet. And to do this by means of artistic expression understandable to all.