Adventures of a Dentist


Adventures of a Dentist is a 1965 Soviet dark comedy/drama feature film directed by Elem Klimov on Mosfilm. It is currently available to view through the Criterion Channel, and is occasionally screened at film festivals.

Plot

A dentist is derided by his colleagues for his natural talent of painlessly pulling out teeth.

Cast

The film's implication, that society inevitably ostracizes those who are gifted, horrified censors who told Klimov to change it. When Klimov refused, the film was given the lowest classification: "category three", which meant that it was shown in only 25-78 movie theatres. Only about half a million viewers saw the film when it premiered. In the West, the film has gained recognition due to it being directed by Klimov, and it has been screened at several film festivals in the last few years.