# Ivan's Childhood

> 1962 film by Andrei Tarkovsky

**Wikidata**: [Q147878](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q147878)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan's_Childhood)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ivan-s-childhood

## Summary
*Ivan's Childhood* is a 1962 war drama film directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, widely regarded as one of the most significant works of Soviet cinema. It explores the psychological toll of war through the story of a young Soviet scout during World War II. The film is notable for its poetic visual style and emotional depth, earning international acclaim including the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

## Key Facts
- Released in 1962 with multiple premiere dates: April 6, May 9, and September 1.
- Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, a Soviet and Russian filmmaker known for his theoretical and visual innovations in cinema.
- Produced by Mosfilm, the premier Soviet film studio based in Moscow.
- Belongs to the genres of drama film and war film.
- Also known by the alias *My Name Is Ivan*.
- Won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, the festival's highest honor.
- Set in the Soviet Union during World War II.
- Categorized as a teen film due to its focus on adolescent characters.
- Tarkovsky held multiple roles including director, screenwriter, film editor, and theorist.
- The film is stored on traditional film stock, adhering to the classical definition of a film.

## FAQs

### What is *Ivan's Childhood*?
*Ivan's Childhood* is a 1962 Soviet war drama film directed by Andrei Tarkovsky. It tells the story of a young boy, Ivan, who serves as a scout for the Soviet army during World War II. The film is recognized for its emotional depth and innovative cinematography.

### When was *Ivan's Childhood* released?
The film had multiple release dates: April 6, 1962; May 9, 1962; and September 1, 1962.

### Who directed *Ivan's Childhood*?
Andrei Tarkovsky directed the film. He was a prominent Soviet and Russian filmmaker known for his contributions to cinema as a director, screenwriter, editor, and theorist.

### What genre is *Ivan's Childhood*?
*Ivan's Childhood* is classified as both a drama film and a war film. It also falls under the teen film category due to its focus on adolescent characters.

### What awards did *Ivan's Childhood* win?
The film won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, which is the highest prize given to a film at that festival.

### Which company produced *Ivan's Childhood*?
The film was produced by Mosfilm, a major Soviet and Russian film studio established on January 30, 1920, and based in Moscow. Mosfilm has over 1,000 employees and operates in the film, television, and media industries.

### What is the significance of the title *My Name Is Ivan*?
*My Name Is Ivan* is an alternative title for *Ivan's Childhood*, reflecting the protagonist's identity and the personal, introspective nature of the narrative.

### What is the connection between *Ivan's Childhood* and the Soviet Union?
The film is set during World War II in the Soviet Union and was produced under the auspices of Mosfilm, a major Soviet film studio. It reflects the wartime experiences of Soviet youth.

### What distinguishes *Ivan's Childhood* from other war films?
Unlike conventional war films, *Ivan's Childhood* focuses on the psychological and emotional impact of war on a child, blending dreamlike sequences with harsh realities. It is also notable for its innovative narrative structure and visual style.

### What roles did Andrei Tarkovsky play in the making of the film?
Tarkovsky served as the director, screenwriter, film editor, and film theorist. His multidisciplinary involvement contributed to the film's artistic and narrative depth.

## Why It Matters
*Ivan's Childhood* is a landmark in Soviet cinema and world cinema at large. It redefined the war film genre by focusing on the internal world of a child soldier rather than traditional battlefield heroics. The film's introspective narrative and dreamlike visual language influenced a generation of filmmakers and established Tarkovsky as a master of cinematic storytelling. Its recognition with the Golden Lion elevated its status on the global stage, marking it as a work of art rather than mere entertainment. The film also contributed to the legacy of Mosfilm and Soviet cinema during the Cold War era, showcasing the emotional and artistic sophistication of Eastern European filmmaking.

## Notable For
- Being one of the first Soviet war films to focus on the psychological trauma of a child protagonist.
- Winning the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, a prestigious international honor.
- Establishing Andrei Tarkovsky as a major voice in global cinema.
- Blending realistic and dreamlike sequences to explore the protagonist's inner world.
- Being produced by Mosfilm, one of the most influential film studios in Soviet and Russian cinema.
- Introducing a new narrative form in war cinema that prioritizes emotional depth over action.
- Being categorized under multiple genres: drama film, war film, and teen film.
- Reflecting the complexity of adolescence during wartime, a theme rarely explored with such nuance in cinema at the time.

## Body

### History
*Ivan's Childhood* was released in 1962, with key dates being April 6, May 9, and September 1. It was directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, who also wrote the screenplay and edited the film. The production was handled by Mosfilm, the premier Soviet film studio, which has been operational since January 30, 1920. The studio is based in Moscow and employs over 1,000 people, operating in the film, television, and media industries.

### Genre and Themes
The film is classified under multiple genres: drama film, war film, and teen film. This multi-genre classification reflects its complex narrative, which deals with the psychological toll of war on a young protagonist. The story centers on Ivan, a boy who serves as a scout for the Soviet army during World War II. The film explores themes of loss, memory, and the impact of war on youth, distinguishing it from traditional war narratives that focus on battlefield heroics.

### Recognition and Awards
*Ivan's Childhood* received international acclaim, most notably winning the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. The Golden Lion is the festival's highest honor, first awarded in 1949. This recognition elevated the film's status in global cinema and marked Tarkovsky as a major cinematic voice.

### Production and Creative Team
Andrei Tarkovsky played multiple roles in the creation of the film: director, screenwriter, film editor, and film theorist. His multidisciplinary involvement was crucial in shaping the film's unique narrative and visual style. The film was produced by Mosfilm, a major Soviet and Russian film company with a long-standing reputation in the industry.

### Cultural and Historical Context
Set during World War II, the film reflects the experiences of Soviet youth during the conflict. It was produced in the Soviet Union, a country that existed from 1922 to 1991. The film's setting and themes are deeply rooted in the historical context of the Eastern Front, offering a personal and emotional perspective on the war.

### Technical and Artistic Innovation
*Ivan's Childhood* is notable for its innovative use of film stock and its blend of realistic and dreamlike sequences. This approach was groundbreaking in its time and influenced subsequent cinematic works. The film's structure alternates between harsh wartime reality and the protagonist's memories and dreams, creating a layered narrative that delves into the psychological state of a child soldier.

### Legacy and Influence
The film is considered one of the most significant works in Soviet cinema and a major influence on global filmmaking. It established Tarkovsky as a visionary director and contributed to the legacy of Mosfilm. The emotional depth and artistic innovation of *Ivan's Childhood* continue to be studied and celebrated in film schools and by cinephiles worldwide.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/ivans-childhood-film-0)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056111/)
3. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film821634.html)
4. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
5. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056111/fullcredits)
6. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/dziecko-wojny-1962)
7. The Movie Database
8. My Name Is Ivan. Rotten Tomatoes
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=1347262)
11. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/de-jeugd-van-ivan/)
12. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
13. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=106850.html)
14. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
15. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/27977)
16. Online-Filmdatenbank
17. Bechdel Test Movie List
18. mymovies.it
19. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/EE89-4C71-AD62-FF3C-FF0F-Z)
20. Danish Film Database
21. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/95343)
22. Trakt.tv
23. FilmVandaag.nl