MISO 05.18.2015
The Second World War is known in Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union as the Great Patriotic War which the Soviet Union fought against the Nazi Germany and its allies in 1941-1945. Victory Day on May 9, 1945 marks the end of this tragic chapter of the world history.
The Great Patriotic War was fought against ruthless invaders for survival of the country and to free the world from the absolute evil of Nazism that inflicted heavy wounds on millions of lives around the globe. The peoples of the Soviet Union bore the brunt of the Nazi offensive in Europe, fought valiantly, broke the back of the Nazi war machine and brought freedom and liberty to their homeland and to Europe.
The ordinary Soviet people showed extraordinary courage in the face of war and its numerous hardships. The world remembers and honors their unparalleled bravery, heroic resistance and selfless sacrifice in the name of liberty and justice. They were depicted in many movies that became true cinema classics and won critics’ and popular acclaim.
On the occasion of the forthcoming 70th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Philippines presents several classic and modern movies on the lives of people on the frontline, on the home front, their personal stories of courage, love, friendship.
The screenings will take place at the Leandro Locsin Auditorium, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, G/F, 633 General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. Admission is FREE.
All movies are in English or with English subtitles.
“The Cranes Are Flying”
(in English, 97 min)
Veronica and Boris are blissfully in love, until the eruption of the World War II tears them apart. Boris is sent to the front lines… and then communication stops. Meanwhile, Veronica tries to ward off spiritual numbness while Boris’s draft-dodging cousin makes increasingly forceful overtures. Winner of the Palme d’Or at the 1958 Cannes Film festival, “The Cranes Are Flying” is a superbly crafted drama, bolstered by stunning cinematography and impassioned performances.
“Normandie-Niemen”
(w/ English subtitles), 114 min
A certain number of French fighter pilots who want to fight the Nazi decide to join the USSR. Once they have reached Moscow they resume form a squadron they call “Normandie”. Reinforced in 1944, the squadron wins many battles. Following the acts of valor displayed by its pilots during the Battle for the Niemen River, it becomes the Normandie-Niemen squadron for the rest of the times…
“Ballad of a Soldier”
(in English, 90 min)
Russian soldier Alyosha Skvortsov is granted a visit with his mother after he single-handedly fends off two enemy tanks. As he journeys home, Alyosha encounters the devastation of his war-torn country, witnesses glimmers of hope among the people, and falls in love. With its poetic imagery, Grigory Chukhrai’s Ballad of a Soldier is an unconventional meditation on the effects of war, and a milestone in Russian cinema.
“Destiny of a Man”
(in English, 96 min)
This wartime story portrays Andrey Sokolov, a World War II-era Soviet citizen who is captured by Nazis. He goes through hell, but is sustained by the possibility that someday he’ll be reunited with his loved ones. Upon his release, Sokolov discovers that his whole family has died during the war.
International release of the movie in 1961 (two years after it was made) was a genuine eye-opener to film critics who were touched by its humanity and emotionalism. “Destiny of a Man” enjoyed enormous worldwide success.
“They Fought For Their Motherland”
(in English, 137 min)
July 1942. The rearguard of the Soviet Army protects the bridgehead of the Don River against the German Army while the retreating troops cross the bridge. While they move back to the Russian territory through the countryside, the soldiers show their companionship, sentiments, fears and heroism
“The Star”
(w/ English subtitles), 93 min
The Star is a call-sign of a reconnaissance detachment that went in the enemy rear. Their task was to reveal plans of the German Army and to find out location of armored troops. At the cost of their lives soldiers inform headquarters about forthcoming wide front attack. The story is highly tense and dramatic, it makes us remember who and at what price gained a victory in that war. Outstanding cinematography, shrilly and passionate music submerge a spectator into the war atmosphere when each wrong step can be fateful.
SCREENING SCHEDULE:
| May 19, 2015 | |
| 10:00 am | Normandie-Niémen |
| 1:00 pm | Ballad of a Soldier |
| 5:00 pm | Star |
May 20, 2015 |
|
| 10:00 am | They Fought for the Motherland |
| 1:00 pm | The Cranes are Flying |
| 5:00 pm | Destiny of a Man |
May 21, 2015 |
|
| 10:00 am | Star |
| 1:00 pm | They Fought for the Motherland |
| 5:00 pm | The Cranes Are Flying |
