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Gala dedicated to 45th anniversary of The Officers film held at Investigative Committee

A gala dedicated to the 45th anniversary since The Officers film was released on screen was held today at the Investigative Committee.

The event was attended by Chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin, the crew that made the film and People’s Artists of the USSR, RSFSR Vasily Lanovoi, Alina Pokrovskaya, second film director Vladimir Zlatoustovsky, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Alexander Voyevodin, People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Irina Kupchenko, General Director of the Gorky film studio Sergei Zernov, Chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Russia, People’s Artist of the RSFSR Nikita Mikhalkov, People’s Artist of Russia Tamara Gvertsiteli, Chancellor of the All-Russian State University of Justice Olga Aleksandrova, Children’s Ombudsman Pavel Astakhov, Deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly Iosif Kobzon, Commander of Airborne Troops Vladimir Shamanov, President of the Outstanding Military and Naval Commanders of Russia, Interregional public foundation, Alexander Sukharev, Chairman of the council the Union of Investigation Veterans, a regional NGO, Vladimir Dontsov, veterans of the Great Patriotic War and investigation, members of the Public Council under the Investigative Committee, cadets of the Alexander Nevsky Cadet School of the Investigative Committee, students of the Academy of the Investigative Committee and other guests of honor and representatives of science and artistic communities.

Opening the even, Chairman of the Investigative Committee read congratulation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and noted that “many generations of officers learned to live and defend their motherland following the example of the film characters created by Vasily Lanovoi, Georgy Yumatov and Alina Pokrovskaya. Our generation is grateful to them for that, immortalizing them in a sculpture There is such a profession – to protect your Motherland! Set on the Frunzenskaya embankment in Moscow. It is not an overstatement to tell that The Officers gave those wearing uniforms powerful spiritual basis, and for hundreds of thousands of boys this film was and still is a textbook of morality. The employees of the federal state agency I head cherish this film because the characters’ selfless service to their Fatherland has something in common with their professional aspirations. All the more so, as in the very beginning of the film Aleksei Timofeyev and his future wife Lyubochka meet near a house with lion statutes in Arbat, where the brave Red Army soldier saves the girl from bandits”.

In addition the Chairman of the Investigative Committee expressed special gratitude to Vasily Lanovoi and the whole crew of the film, pointing out that “wonderful character Ivan Varavva was created by the crew of the film and embodied by Vasily Lanovoi as a striking example of devotion to the Motherland, courage and nobleness. Vasily Lanovoi is an honored member of the Public Council of the Investigative Committee, honored chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Alexander Nevsky Cadet School. He brings in a great amount of artistic energy in education of the younger generation, provides veterans of investigative authorities, many of whom fought in the Great Patriotic War, and investigators with invaluable moral and psychological support. His sensitivity, profound integrity and ability to give proper advice in a difficult situation have won him deep respect from our team. We thank him and the crew who worked to create this immortal film for patriotic education of the younger generation!”

A newsreel of the 1970s featuring the initiator of The Officers, Marshal of the USSR, Minister of Defense of the USSR Andrei Grechko and telling about the large-scale work on the film was demonstrated during the gala. The immediate participants of the filming shared their memories about the filming, about letters they had received from young viewers, where they wrote about their impressions and a decision to dedicate their lives to serving in the Army and protecting their Motherland.

The participants of the event held a minute of silence to commemorate the actors, directors and members of the crew, who passed away.

People’s Artist of the USSR Vasily Lanovoi, Director Vladimir Zlatoustovsky and the CEO of the M. Gorky Film Studio Sergei Zernov supported the desire to revive and develop patriotic traditions, expressed their gratitude to Mr. Bastrykin for the initiative which gave the start to celebrations of the 45th anniversary of The Officers throughout the country. Besides, Vasily Lanovoi and Alina Pokrovskaya presented letters of commendations to employees of the Investigative Committee, cadets and participants of the gala.

Musical compositions and poems dedicated to the Officers film including those performed by a cadet of the Alexandeer Nevsky Cadet Class of the Cadet Boarding School of Khimky sounded as the illustration of the unity of generations and symbol of patriotism.

At the end of the event Mr. Bastrykin awarded Vasily Lanovoi, Nikita Mikhalkov, Iosif Kobzon, Tamara Gvertsiteli, Vladimir Shamanov and other guests of honor with medals, awards, lettersl commendations, flowers and presents.

Head of Media Relations                                                                                                                                 V.I. Markin