April 08, 2021

"The Silver Skates" on the Silver Screen


"The Silver Skates" on the Silver Screen
Ice rink on St. Petersburg's Palace Square; they definitely don't do this every year –maybe to make way for the gigantic New Year's tree. Wikimedia Commons user Pot Noodle.

Add The Silver Skates to your must-watch list. Soon, Netflix subscribers will be able to watch the 2020 Russian film in multiple languages.

The Silver Skates is a delightful skate through St. Petersburg at the turn of the twentieth century. Most of the film takes place on an iced-over Neva River. The action centers on a group of young Marxist pickpockets who deploy the physics of skating to steal from wealthy customers at the on-ice market.

The Silver Skates features gorgeous views of St. Petersburg, the quaintness of nineteenth-century material culture, and a love story that crosses socioeconomic classes. Its rather simple storyline can be forgiven for the allure of its cinematography and the charm of its near-constant ice skating.

St. Petersburg locations featured include Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Michael's Castle, Vitebsky railway station, Stieglitz Museum of Applied Arts, Yusupov Palace, Marble Palace, Sheremetyev Palace, and the House of Scientists – which has one of the most stunning staircases in the world.

Netflix picked up the film in late March. You will not find it in your Netflix queue yet, but check out the trailer while you wait for it to drop.

Nineteenth-century ice skates
Try skating on these bad boys. | The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Wikimedia Commons

 

You Might Also Like

Christopher Plummer's Last Station
  • February 08, 2021

Christopher Plummer's Last Station

In memory of actor Christopher Plummer, who died last week at age 91, we look back at his role as a dying Leo Tolstoy in the 2009 film, The Last Station.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Jews in Service to the Tsar
October 09, 2011

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955