Alexei Dmitriev
Russian videomaker
Interview: 10 questions
1. Tell me something about your life and the educational background.
I was born in Leningrad, USSR. I wanted to become an archeologist, but studied advanced mathematics and physics at school. Then went to the university and became a linguist. Was selling books for some time, founded a film festival company. Now unemployed.
2. When, how and why started you filming?
Around 15 when a video camera was presented to my dad.
3. What kind of subjects have your films?
Quite diverse. But all of them have some kind of twist.
4. How do you develop your films, do you follow certain principles, styles etc?
I just try to realize the ideas that I have. No specific styles or principles involved.
5. Tell me something about the technical equipment you use.
A computer. Sometimes a camera. Sometimes a scanner.
6. The field of “art and moving images†(one may call it videoart or also differently) is is manifesting itself as an important position in contemporary art. Tell me more about your personal position and how you see the future of this field ( your personal future and the future of “art and moving imagesâ€).
I don’t know about my future — I’m not an oracle. But video will become even more popular (which is a good and a bad thing at the same time) and it will mix and coincide with the other art forms even greater.
7. How do you finance your films?
Myself. But they are extremely low-budget.
8. Do you work individually as a video artist/film maker or do you work in a team?
if you have experience in both, what is the difference, what do you prefer?
I do everything myself except for the music. Never collaborated with other visual artists. No real need so far. But working with good musicians is very cosy.
9. Who or what has a lasting influence on your film/video making?
Dziga Vertov was the first big influence. As for the modern boys and girls — Jean-Gabriel Periot’s “Dies Irae” opened my eyes on experimental film. Since then we are good friends.
10. What are your plans or dreams as a film/video maker?
Plans: make more stuff. Dreams: no.
Can works of yours viewed online besides on CologneOFF or VideoChannel? Where?
List some links & resources
Everything is online on vimeo: http://vimeo.com/avdmitriev