Socrates

Eisenstein as a teacher

For Sergei Eisenstein Socrates symbolized the best way of teaching - by asking questions instead of giving answers. Eisenstein loved teaching and implemented the "Socrates-method". One of the bookshelves in the library displays a German postcard depicting a bust of the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates. Eisenstein may have bought it in Germany (the bust is kept in the Munich Glyptothek) or in an antiquarian bookshop in Moscow.

Eisenstein frequently mentioned and wrote that he considered Socrates the best teacher in the history of mankind. He did not impose "ultimate truths" and "correct solutions to problems" on his students. Instead he asked questions and challenged them to search for answers. He taught them to think independently.

Eisenstein began teaching at the Proletkult director's workshop in 1922, when he himself was still a student at the Meyerhold School. He continued to teach at the Institute of Cinematography from 1928 until the end of his life. He half-jokingly called his teaching method "Socratic".

When teaching directing he discussed various aspects of the student’s exercises in what he called a "slowed down creative process": plot and characters, the actors’ expressive movement, set design, composition and editing. He challenged his students to find new original solutions and not simply learn "standard techniques" by heart

Sergei Eisenstein compiled the world's first film directing curriculum and wrote the textbook "Directing. The Art of Staging. The archive contains transcripts of his lectures from 1928 - 1947.