jerzym

In last few days I've made my own home festival of Czech movies. Today in cue was Hrebejk's "Pelisky". Some times ago I've watched his Musime Si Pomahat so I expect great film. But today's movie touched me very deep, reminding some moments from my life. I was born in 1952 so in 1968 I was in same age as young characters of the movie. In august I was on my holidays in the little town in south Poland where my granny lived - just about 150 km from the border of Czechoslovakia. For the rest of my life I will remember the sound of the soviet warplanes heard 20/21 August. I've been watching this movie with the tears in my eyes. I knew all the songs from the CSR big-beat groups because in 1967/68 I've everyday listen the Stanice Hviezda from Ostrava - 80 km from my home town. Really, really great movie. Understandable not only for the Czech & Slovak people.

The movie is based on the book of Moris Simaszko, Kazakh writer, who writes in Russian. The book has been printed in late 80's and was one of the first attempts to describe the truth about the infamous "Sztrafnyje bataliony" (Penal battalions) formed during the WW II in Soviet Union from the political prisoners, criminals and regular soldiers who broke the military law. The penal battalions has been sent to the first line for impossible missions, badly armed and with the NKWD units behind the back who shoots to the soldiers who tried to retreat. The movie is not so true like the famous TV-mini "Shtrafbat" (highly recommended and thrilling) but nevertheless really worth seeing

I have read Aksionow's "Moscow saga" app. one year ago and I have found this book rather bad, overblown and pretentious (especially pseudo-poetical "interludes") so my expectations about the TV-serial wasn't big, indeed. But, let me say, I'm more then satisfied watching the DVD (now 16th episode). The characters are more likable comparing with book. Action is comprehensible, lot of twists, lot of thrills. Some moments drove me almost to tears. This serial is really must see to all people interested in the cruel history of XX century Russia showing the extreme inhumanity of communism. And when you listen Kristina Orbakaite singing wonderful song "Tuczi w golubom" ("Clouds in blue") you'll to listen it over and over again.