The idea for this film was born in response to the all-Soviet campaign for “economizing resources.” To cut production costs, the scenario based on Jack London’s story envisaged a small number of characters and reduced the action to a few locations and a single set. Despite this purposeful minimalism and a somewhat unconvincing representation of Yukon (filmed in the early spring near Moscow) the tragic magnitude of this film speaks for itself, and it was precisely this sense of soberness that Kuleshov wanted his film to convey. Upon its release, the film caused controversy and criticism which would have repercussions in Kuleshov ‘s creative career in the 1930’s.
Ekaterina Hohlova