MWFF 2015: ON THE ROAD TO BERLIN

DOROGA Na BERLIN  / ON THE ROAD TO BERLIN
Дорога На Берлин

2015, Colour, Russia, 82 minutes, World Competition 

Production Team:

Director : Sergei Popov

Screenwriter : Emmanuil Kazakevich, Evgeniy Nikishov

Cinematographer : Shandor Berkershi

Editor : Olga Kolesnikova

Cast : Amir Abdykalov, Yuriy Borisov, Maksim Demcherko, Andrey Deyugin, Artem Lebedev

Music : Roman Dormidoshin

Film production and Sales : Prod.: Aleksandr Litvinov, Karen Shakhnazarov, "Mosfilm" Cinema Concern, 1 Mosfilmovskaya Street Moscou 119991 (Russie), tél.: 0074991439700 / 0079857675796, simagin@mosfilm.ru.

The film won the Ecumenical Jury Mention at the Montreal World Film Festival 2015, on September 7, 2015. 

The plot of the film On the Road to Berlin is based on the story by Emmanuel Kazakevich Two in the Wilderness (in Russian Двое в степи), and war diaries of Konstantin Simonov. It shows the heroism of Russian solders who at the beginning of the World War II had to face German tanks just with ordinary rifles or even hand guns, as the Soviet army was ill equipped and unprepared for the war, and who were ordered to get up and attack the approaching enemy tanks when it was quite obvious they could not possibly cause any harm to the heavily armoured German military machinery. 

But the film is much more than just about that. It is about how the real courage grows little by little in a young man who for the first time faces the terrible realities of war. It is also about a true friendships that develops under the most difficult circumstances when a soldier is under a court marshal order to be guarded and to be delivered to the army headquarters to be executed. It is also about a soldier's honour and the responsibility to keep orders no matter what, and about how the honesty and the playing of one's life cards all above the board bears good fruit. So the reach of the movie is much wider than just illustrating the far gone war circumstances. It has an emotional and moral impact even on our present life.

The strength of soldiers' character portray the inner resolve that had for ages puzzled those who went to conquer Russia, even when much better equipped than the Russians or having a considerably larger army. Time after time, the ill prepared Russian army had to retreat as far inland as Moscow, and even to surrender its capital city as what happened with Napoleon. Yet the Russian spirit at some stage would always pick up its force, gather the inner and physical strength, and totally defeat the enemy. 

As I was leaving the projection hall, I heard a lady from the audience to utter this comment, "Those Russians! They really react differently!" Go see the film, it might help you to understand better the Russian enigma.

Film's Official Synopsis:

"It is the summer of 1942. It is the thick of World War II and the bitter battle for Stalingrad is underway. The young lieutenant Ogarkov, a communications officer, is given important instructions -- to convey command orders about redeployment for the 341st division. In the confusion of an advance to the rear and localized fighting, the lieutenant does not deliver the orders and as a result the division ends up surrounded. A military tribunal court martials Ogarkov and sentences him to death by firing squad. Before the sentence can be carried out the convict is assigned to an escort - the Kazakh Dzurabaev. But due to a surprise attack by the Germans the execution of the sentence is delayed. The escort and the convict remain alone and together they must overcome obstacles and make their way to headquarters. In spite of it all, a silent friendship develops between the convicted man and his escort. Together they break through the encirclement, they do battle against the Germans and they even are awarded the highest honor - the commendation of the Order of the Red Star. But the death sentence was never rescinded and the road leads the new heroes to staff headquarters..."

Director

Born in Moscow in 1974, Sergei Popov graduated from VGIK, the celebrated Russian film school and soon began directing television series, starting with New Era (2002-2003). Other TV dramas quickly followed: Icon’s Hunters (2004), Friend or Foe (2005), Goddess (2007), Cold Sun (2008), I’m Looking for You (2009), The Wish (2009). His big screen credits include THE GAP (2001), TRUE LOVE (2012) and THURSDAY, THE 12TH (2012). 

Film Projections

Sunday August 30, 2015 - 11:30 AM - CINÉMA IMPÉRIAL
Sunday August 30, 2015 - 04:30 PM - CINÉMA IMPÉRIAL

Images courtesy of the Director of the film.
Film review © 2015 Nadia Slejskova