Filmmaker Marianna Yarovskaya touches on Russian history, universal sentiments

The UC Davis Department of German and Russian hosted a screening of Academy Award-shortlisted documentary “Women of the Gulag” on March 13. A question-and-answer segment  with the film’s director Marianna Yarovskaya followed the screening.

Jenny Kaminer, Associate Professor of Russian and one of the organizers for events, serendipitously discovered the movie through a friend’s social media post.

“It immediately resonated with me because I was teaching a unit in my Women in Russia class that focuses on exactly this time: the Stalinist terror and the Gulag,” Kaminer said. “I Googled the director and found her webpage, and I cold emailed her. She responded and quite quickly and enthusiastically. I thought I’m teaching Russian film in the winter, so it would go along well with that class as well. I think it’s a very important topic.”

The documentary portrays the experiences of five women who were arrested and sentenced to time in the Stalin-era forced-labor camps called the Gulag. Six years in the making and filmed in Russia, the documentary uses interviews and rare archival footage. To Yarovskaya, this female-centered narrative has often been missing from historical accounts concerning the Gulag.

“This has never been done before on an international scale,” Yarovskaya said. “The importance of doing a woman’s story is that they have a different perspective. You identify a little bit. I can better imagine myself in the story… You can analyze the female part of society through this men. There is not enough [documentation] of what they went through. And women gave birth, they were ‘slaves of slaves’ [in the Gulag] and it was a very different experience.”

Emilia Bekkerman, a third year sociology and Russian major and screening attendee, noted that discussions of the Gulag in general are often dismissed.

“I speak Russian, my family speaks Russian and I have a background in Soviet history, family and education wise,” Bekkerman said. “To see it first hand and so clearly with these almost 100-years-old women was shocking. [The Gulag] is talked about very theoretically. We know that there was the Gulag and work camps and concentration camps, but it’s all talked about in concepts and theories and not people’s stories. This was the first time I’ve ever heard about it from people and not a textbook.”

Presenting these stories first hand was part of Yarovskaya’s purpose in making the film. By focusing on the stories, the film is able to cross cultural and regional borders. Indeed, the first grant the film received was from the National Endowment for the Humanities called Bridging Cultures Through Film.

“It would be too American if there were experts [interviewed],” Yarovskaya said. “They are brilliant, but you get this didactic voice telling people how they need to feel about this. It diminishes the other people’s voices. You find a great character who is unforgettable and universally understandable.”

Yarovskaya was strategic in the scenes she decided to include in order to fit the “universal experience” angle. One interviewee in the film mentioned one of the survivors feeding a burned rat in her solitary confinement cell, which became her only source of interaction during that period.

“It is about women who survived unfathomable hardships and terror, how they managed to survive and maintain the integrity of their humanities,” Kaminer said. “It’s a very universal. How do we as human beings deal with unimaginable and unthinkable suffering? How do we go on with our lives as horrifically violent and unjust? The Stalin prison system jailed primarily people who did nothing. These questions of innocent people caught up in a corrupt system, forced to endure suffering are universal and go beyond historical context and social context.”

The film also becomes significant in its ability to grant the audience an honest view of 20th century Russian history.

“Russia get a lot of bad press these days,” Kaminer said. “Our Russia program here is two full-time faculty. Part of my missionary zeal is to expand the extracurricular offers to teach people and get them interested in the complex history of 20th century Russian history. I hope students come and learn more than just the soundbites we hear about Russia.”

The film then becomes an educational tool as the film has been screened on college campuses across the country, including Harvard University.

“[Colleges] were the first market that got interested in the film” Yarovskaya said. “It is a perfect tool, a historical document, to tell the story of people who will no longer be alive in a year or two. It is a disappearing history, so why not study it in history classes.”

For Bekkerman, the film directly supplemented what she has been studying in her Russian film class.

“In the other films, we look at how the technique drives the plot forward,” Bekkerman said. “But here, it’s how the people drive the plot and create the narrative. The film we watched from the 1930s was very censored, all propaganda, very happy-go-lucky and Hollywood. It is a movie called ‘The Circus’ about a woman with a black baby, and how open and welcoming Russia[n] society is. At the same time, Stalin was writing the constitution for his regime. Seeing this documentary literally bridges the gap. Everything [was] so censored because [the Gulag] was happening in the background.”

As the film will be screened in Moscow on April 21, Yarovskaya hopes the film will have a dual impact: to motivate viewers to expand their knowledge on Russia history, as well as to reflect on their own.

“For the rest of the world, since this is just a tip of the iceberg, I would want them to go learn more about this topic. Go read the memoirs. Learn more about this part of history. Genocide is a repeating history. For the Russians, I would want them to look in the mirror. If I was living in Russia, I probably wouldn’t be able to see from far away what the problem is. If you have not dealt with your past, you can not build a normal present and future.”

More information about the film and newsletter sign up can be found on its website.

Written By: Caroline Rutten — arts@theaggie.org

Longtime local bread company opens first storefront

Upper Crust Baking Company opened its first bakery-boutique on Feb. 20. However, the family-run business is not new. Trudy and Mo Kalisky started their business in 1986, selling bread and baked goods primarily at farmers markets around Northern California.

The bakery is the company’s first permanent storefront. Located at 624 G St. next to the Davis Food Co-Op, the bakery is conveniently at the edge of downtown.

Upper Crust Baking Company sells a variety of unique breads, such as pumpernickel, Jewish Deli Rye, Sunberry, Birdseed, Salted Rosemary, Challah and Challapeño, among others. The bakery also offers artisan croutons, almond biscotti, apple tarts, New York cheesecake, babka and cookies. All its products are handmade in small batches.

The Jewish Deli Rye is particularly delicious alone or toasted with a little butter. The loaf is baked with caraway seeds, which when combined with the freshness of the other ingredients, gives the bread a savory burst of flavor. The apple tart, made with Granny Smith apples and a sugar-cookie crust, is not only the perfect mix of sweetness and tanginess, but is also absolutely gorgeous to look at.

The bakery also serves pour-over coffee. The bakery sells Davis Farmers Market merchandise as well as artisanal products from other local businesses. So far, products include honey, flour, jam, nuts, greeting cards and stickers.

With only two tables for indoor seating, the bakery is on the smaller side. Rustic decor creates a welcoming ambiance while the bakery’s owners are sure to make you smile and feel right at home.

Upper Crust Baking Company is proudly farm-to-oven. The farm-to-oven movement strives to connect local food producers and consumers in order to foster more self-reliant food networks and grow local economies.

The company has established connections with several growers and producers in the Northern California region, supporting local business as much as possible. The bakery uses local ingredients such as wheat from the Sacramento Valley, nuts from Winters, chocolate from Ghirardelli and a sourdough levain created in the UC Davis Food Science and Technology Department.

Upper Crust Baking Company certainly beats store-bought bread in flavor, quality and freshness. Loaves are $6 and desserts range in price from $4 to $25 depending on desired size. Products are also available at the Davis Farmers Market or can be ordered through Farm Fresh to You, an organic produce delivery service.

The bakery is still in its soft opening phase, so tentative hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The company is working on expanding its menu and products during this time and plans to have a grand opening within the upcoming weeks.

Written By: Cheyenne Wiseman — arts@theaggie.org

The Arts Desk’s weekly picks for television, movies, novels and music

Television: “Westworld”

Can humanity be reduced to a self-learning program housed in a manufactured body? This existential HBO series is an exciting science-fiction that glimpses into the future of artificial intelligence. The series takes place in a manmade western theme park that serves as a playground for the rich. A manufactured resident, Delores, becomes self-aware and sparks a revolution that leads the audience to question the nature of existence.

Movie: “Bohemian Rhapsody”

In addition to making me cry tears of joy several times, this movie brings people together. The upward battle for LGBTQ rights has been met with unimaginable obstacles. Artists like Freddie Mercury serve as a bridge between people of different sexual orientations and identities because music indeed is the universal language. This film also highlights one of the most historic concerts that raised millions of dollars for the Ethiopian Famine, 1985’s Live Aid.

Novel: “Sapiens” by Yuval Noah Harari

It’s the story of the “wise man,” or homo sapiens in proper terms. This groundbreaking novel by Yuval Noah Harari is scientific literature with an extraordinary ability to storytell. The history of humanity is broken down into three eras: the cognitive revolution, the agricultural revolution and the scientific revolution. Harari shows his readers that nothing is an accident and that we can shape the future of humanity for the better good.

Album: “Treehouse” by Sofi Tukker

Nominated for the Grammy Best Dance/Electronic Album and Best Dance Recording Awards (for “Drinkee”), duo Sofi Tukker has fostered in a new era of electronic dance music. They became well-known for their song “Best Friend” when it played in an Apple commercial for the iPhone X. Other popular tracks include “Batshit” and”Mi Rumba,” which debuted in early 2019. My personal favorite of theirs is the Frost Remix of “Moon Tattoo.”

Written by: Josh Madrid – arts@theaggie.org

Solange, Kehlani, India.Arie

Beginning in February, the world was graced with the the release of new albums from three beloved R&B artists. While Kehlani, Solange and India.Arie all have different sounds, fan bases and relationships to fame, most likely, the people that rejoiced over Solange’s “When I Get Home” were also excited to listen to Kehlani’s “While We Wait” and India.Arie’s “Worthy” and vice-versa.

It’s fitting that India.Arie’s “Worthy” led the pack when it was released Feb. 15. As a four-time Grammy winner, with twenty-one nominations, she is considered an icon within the music industry. Rated RnB reviewed Arie’s album and noted how it was “intended to be her ‘most textured and lively work to date.’” The article continued with an analysis of Arie’s chosen tracklist, introducing how “Worthy” officially begins with “What If” — “a powerful statement of emancipation that urges the average person to advocate love, as opposed to letting hate divide.” Arie’s entire album flows as a cohesive and layered gospel piece which introduces subjects of religion, love, femininity and harmony into each song. Individually, each song is a beautiful piece and look into Arie’s psyche and deepest feelings, while collectively the album is an emotional call to action. For those who have not listened to Arie, “Worthy” is a culmination and development of Arie’s past experiments with style and content.

A week later on Feb. 22, Oakland artist Kehlani released “While We Wait” with features from artists including DOM KENNEDY, Ty Dolla $ign and 6LACK. Unlike Arie, who has been releasing music for over twenty years, this is Kehlani’s third mixtape following her 2017 debut LP “SweetSexySavage.” Kehlani’s unique and catchy sound on this album is described by Pitchfork as an insight into how “the playlistification of mainstream music has not hindered this refreshingly concise collection of pop, rap, and ’90s R&B resilience.” Each of the nine songs on Kehlani’s album attest to Kehlani’s versatility within genres and her ability to introduce her voice into so many different realms of music. Kehlani’s mixtape is exciting as a titled “placeholder” for her album release later this year. Kehlani might be working on other longer projects right now, but this mixtape does so much in just nine songs. It functions as a well-thought and developed project released amid Kehlani’s pregnancy (as her full album is said to be released after her child is born). For the many who watched Kehlani rise from “America’s Got Talent,” each release is another proof of Kehlani’s growing style and creativity as an artist who has much more ahead.

Three years after her first No. 1 album, “A Seat at the Table,” Solange released “When I Get Home” on March 1. This release was arguably the most exciting of the three, as the anticipation surrounding Solange’s next album essentially began three years ago for fans of “A Seat at the Table.” While Solange Knowles has been in the industry and an artist since the days of backup dancing for Destiny’s Child, her music career has recently matured and become accepted beyond her relationship to Beyoncé.

Variety commented on Solange’s important choice of release date, writing  “‘When I Get Home’ did arrive fully-formed just after midnight on March 1 — as Black History Month became National Women’s History Month, in case anyone missed that thematic link — and in every sense, the music leads the listener: The album knows exactly where it’s going, and when and how it’s getting there, so the best approach is to settle in and trust that the driver has mapped out an interesting ride, even when it feels like you’re taking the scenic route.”

Even though Solange’s album has nineteen songs, it totals at just 39 minutes, with a relationship between each song comparable to Earl Sweatshirt’s “Some Rap Songs” that maintains individual sounds within each song, but makes sure that the short songs flow together within the album instead of functioning as their own hits.

All of these albums began the exciting wave of releases in new music that 2019 seemed to be lacking. If you haven’t listened to any of these works or artists yet, these three perfectly testify to the growth of each artist, and are worth a listen.

Written By: Rosie Schwarz — arts@theaggie.org

A list of women and movies to follow that embody feminism

“A Wrinkle in Time”

“A Wrinkle in Time” follows Meg Murry, played by Storm Reid, whose father, played by Chris Pine, disappears in the midst of discovering a new planet. When Meg gets news that her father is alive and trapped in this planet, she goes on a journey with her little brother and a classmate to bring him back home.

Directed by Ava Duvernay and featuring Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling, this 2018 adaptation is a must-see for young girls as Meg realizes she can do amazing things and overcomes her self-doubt.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Nigerian-born writer Adichie has written several novels, short stories and nonfiction pieces, including “We Should All Be Feminists.” The book-length essay seeks to define feminism for the 21st century. Her works of fiction emphasize complex women of color and are well-written examples of intersectional feminism from a multinational perspective.

“Spanglish”

“Spanglish” follows a hard-working immigrant mother Flor Moreno, played by Paz Vega. Flor works for an upper-class family as their live-in maid, and her and her daughter must navigate living in an English-speaking, upper class household.

This 2004 James L. Brooks-directed movie takes a comedic route to show the struggles of a Mexican maid as a single mother.

Laverne Cox

As a transgender woman, Cox is an advocate for LGBTQ rights. She rose to fame for her role in “Orange is the New Black” as Sophia Burset and critics praised her for her multifaceted, sympathetic portrayal of a trans woman of color. Cox is outspoken about redefining gender equality to include trans and non-binary individuals.

“Hidden Figures”

“Hidden Figures” tells the real-life story Katherine Johnson, played by Taraji P. Henson, Dorothy Vaughan, played by Octavia Spencer and Mary Jackson, played by Janelle Monáe, who were the real brains behind the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. Their struggles  of being black women in a white and male-dominated field play out on screen. These women are an inspiration, supporting each other and accomplishing the impossible.

Chrystos

Chrystos is a Menominee poet and activist whose work focuses on themes of Native rights, feminism and social justice. Chrystos is two-spirit, a third-gender role unique to indigenous culture, as well as lesbian, both of which are central to their identity and influence their writing. Chrystos is known for their uncensored and often biting social and political commentary.

“Crazy Rich Asians”

Rachel Chu, played by Constance Wu, goes on a trip with her unbelievably wealthy boyfriend Nick, played by Henry Golding, to his home in Singapore. With the classic mean girls at every corner and the disapproval of Nick’s mother, her trip turned from a vacation to a never-ending, unpleasant surprise.

This 2018 film based on the novel of the same name is a rom-com for the books. With characters like Rachel, Astrid, played by Gemma Chan, and Penik, played by Awkwafina, the movie focuses on multiple female characters with contrasting personalities and is the first major motion film to feature an Asian-majority cast since 1993’s “The Joy Luck Club.” The movie isn’t just about one woman pursuing a man, but rather it introduces different women from a variety of locations, generations and values.

Lizzo

Lizzo is an American hip-hop and rap artist known for her commitment to feel-good music. Her work, both catchy and fun-loving, advocates body-positivity, self-love and acceptance. Lizzo is open about being sex-positive and confident in her own body, and she is just as addicting to watch as her music is to listen to.

“Real Women Have Curves”

The movie is the story of Ana Garcia, played by America Ferrera, a first-generation Mexican-American navigating her way through womanhood. She lives in a Latino community in East L.A. and fights her traditional family’s prejudices about higher education.

This 2002 movie gives insight on the struggles that Mexican-American students face when they are stuck between two worlds. “Real Women Have Curves” is the Mexican version of the film “Ladybird,” with a similar plot of a teenager wanting to grow up and be something bigger than what their parents have in mind for them.

Cherríe Moraga

Moraga is a renowned poet, playwright, essayist and activist and is famous for her work as a co-editor of the feminist anthology, “This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color.” Moraga’s writing and work centers arounds intersections of race, gender and sexuality. Moraga has also helped found La Red Xicana Indigena, an organization that connects and provides a voice for Xicanas across different fields as well as promotes indigenous women’s rights.

“The Hunting Ground”

This documentary focuses on exposing the rape statistics on college campuses across the country. It features survivors telling their stories as well as the various extents that U.S. college campuses go through in order to cover up sexual assault. The film follows women pursuing their education as they call for an end to harassment and sexual abuse on every level.

“The Hunting Ground” was directed by Kirby Dick and brings to light the unfortunate reality that many women face as they try to gain a higher education. The women in the movie don’t just share their story. They call for action, and that is what’s most impactful about this documentary.

Jacqueline Woodson

Writer Jacqueline Woodson has produced over two dozen books for children and adolescents. Her bestselling memoir, “Brown Girl Dreaming,” recounts her experiences growing up in the 1960s and 1970s amid the growing Civil Rights Movement, presenting issues of race and gender to younger readers.

Amandla Stenberg

20-year-old actress and activist Amandla Stenberg is very outspoken on issues of race, gender and sexuality. Stenberg uses her fame as a platform to empower queer women of color as well as to address problematic racial ideologies. Stenberg stresses the importance of representation of minority groups and strives to serve as a role model for young people of color.

Brie Larson

Actress and filmmaker Brie Larson stars in “Captain Marvel” and has said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that a central theme in the movie is the power of female strength. Released on Mar. 8, the movie boasts a diverse cast and defies misogynist tendencies common in superhero franchises. Larson is an advocate of intersectional feminism and for survivors of sexual assault.  

Written By: Itzelth Gamboa and Cheyenne Wiseman — arts@theaggie.org

It’s closer than you think

When students consider taking a day trip away from Davis, they often head to Sacramento or San Francisco. While these destinations are perfect for a day trip with minimal time-constraints, for students who are itching to leave Davis for just a few hours, Winters is a great option.

Located 13 miles away and home to 10,000 people, Winters offers an even stronger small-town feel than Davis. This quaint size feels almost surreal, as if the town is stuck in the ’40s with its large water tower marking the entrance to the town, reminiscent of the one in “Dazed and Confused” or “Riverdale.”

The small size of downtown Winters makes it convenient for parking anywhere and walking around. For those looking for a good meal, Putah Creek Cafe is a large diner with classic booths and diner tables, indoor seating and a large outdoor patio. The cafe is ranked as the top restaurant in Winters on Tripadvisor. The menu is expansive and offers a variety of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition, the cafe is known for its bakery that features homemade pie. The cafe sources their ingredients from their own garden, which is located across the street from the Putah Creek Cafe. According to the restaurant’s website, it includes 20 raised beds of herbs, vegetables, fruit and flowers, young fruit trees and ornamental and insectary plants.

For those looking for a night out or a big-city dining experience, Preserve is described as a “hip restaurant and bar offering local, seasonal, farmer to fork cuisine including brunch, craft beer, and cocktails.” People are reminded to not leave town without a jar of “locally famous jalapeno jelly.” Preserve includes an all-day menu featuring items such as the “Preserve Charcuterie Platter,” a gourmet mac ‘n cheese and a butternut squash pizza. All of their foods are thoughtfully presented, culminating into an experience that focuses on taste and ambiance. In addition, Preserve offers a special Sunday brunch, serving distinctive dishes and cocktails such as “pulled pork waffles,” “Beer-Mosas” and “Italian Speedball,” which is made with cold brew coffee, Amaro Averna, orange bitters and cream.

Recently, Winters welcomed Hooby’s Brewing to town. This family-run brewery offers a great variety of beer and wine as well as a menu with options such as gluten-free nachos and a pesto grilled cheese waffle. The brewery is located in the heart of downtown, with a decal on the wall that reads “Beer is Good. But Beers are Better.” The brewery’s large tables make it an ideal location to study, relax or bring a group of people to explore. In addition, the brewery sells merchandise with slogans like “Wish You Were Beer.” This new brewery is cute, friendly and a great neighbor to Berryessa Brewing Company, located just outside of downtown Winters.

In addition, Winters is home to The Scoop, a quaint self-serve frozen yogurt store which changes flavors frequently, Ficelle, a tapas restaurant with stellar reviews, Lester Farms Bakery with award-winning, freshly made baked goods and Tomats, a restaurant categorized as classic California cuisine.

Beyond food and drinks, Winters is worth a visit as a historical agricultural town that has preserved its original buildings and atmosphere since its rebuilding in 1898. Of course, many things have been redone, and businesses have come and gone, but the family-friendly and welcoming environment remains a staple of Winters.

Written By: Rosie Schwarz — arts@theaggie.org