 The Russians are coming!
Close on the heels of the Netherlands Film Festival was the Russian Film Festival done jointly by the ICAF and the Russian Centre of Science and Culture.
After an austere inauguration by the Consul General, the Director of Cultural Centre, and the much respected director Balu Mahendra, the festival began on a solemn note.
In all, four films were shown. The opening film 'Torpedo Bombers', direrected by Semyon Aranovich, is a period war film committed as the film was to boost the morale of the Russians. The period is around the Second World War. Based on the short stories of the acclaimed Russian penman Yuri German, the film chronicles the lives of the Russian air force pilots. It is a heart shaking film.
'Incident at Map.Grid 36-80' (1982), directed by Mikhail Tumanishvill, indirectly tells how the Soviets were ever ready to help others; here, the American submarine in distress.
'Invincible', directed by Yuri Borestsky, is an utterly charming movie. Based on martial arts and placed in the mountainous villages, the film, through its hero, proves that the greatest weapon is peace; and power, applied to peace. The film is dedicated to Arkadevich Halampieu, founder of SAMBO wrestling.
Not a dull moment, indeed. The dialogues are beautifully and meaningfully penned. As an entertainer, the film is more than a match to any contemporary film.
At Dawn It's Quiet Here (1972), directed by Stanislav Rostotsky, is again a war period movie. How a corporal with only a five-person (girls!) contingent, penetrates the Nazi paratroopers, despite losses is the dramatic content.
With no frills, the film in two parts makes an absorbing study. But these are committed films. The morale of the people is the prime objective and they succeed in that enormously.
A useful three days. Thank you, Soviet
comrades.
Dr S Gopalie |
