Events

The Russian Investigative Committee has hosted today a gala devoted to the 45-year anniversary of The Dawns Here Are Quiet movie release.

The event was attended by Chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin, People’s Artists of the USSR Vasily Lanovoi, Iosif Kobzon, People’s Artist of Russia Andrei Martynov, Honored Artist of the RSFSR, member of the State Duma Yelena Drapenko, People’s Artists of Russia Olga Ostroumova, Olga Bogdanova, theater and movies actress Yekaterina Markova, Honored Artist of the Ukrainian Soviet Republic Irina Shevchuk, Honored Artist of Russia Irina Dolganova, People’s Artists of the RSFSR Lev Leshchenko, Vladimir Vinokur, veteran of the Grate Patriotic War, state advisor of justice Alexander Sukhorev, space pilots of Russia, Heroes of the Russian Federation, members of the Council of Heroes under the Investigative Committee Yuri Lonchakov and Mikhail Korniyenko, President of Slava International Center Vyacheslav Motsardo, veterans of investigation, employees of the Investigative Committee, cadets of the Alexander Nevsky School of the Investigative Committee, students of the Investigative Committee Academy, as well as guests of honor and scientists and artists invited.

Opening the gala, the Chairman noted that “the release of the movie by director and war veteran Stanislav Rostotsky based on the story by another war veteran Boris Vasilyev became a significant and uncommon event. Talents of the director and writer who had the first-hand knowledge about that war, created a movie that made a masterpiece of the Russian classical cinema. The fate of girls who put on soldier’s uniforms and went to protect their Motherland left nobody unmoved. There are so many of such girls who became nurses, snipers, pilots and gave their lives for their homeland. New generations still watch the movie and empathize with the characters fighting fascist soldiers.” Mr. Bastrykin specially stressed that for him, as for any Leningrader, the topic of the movie is very near his heart. “My mother stayed in the sieged Leningrad for three years. She worked at a factory and then was drafted as an anti-aircraft gunner,” he said and added that “It is no coincidence that this anniversary is being celebrated at the Investigative Committee. Patriotic education of our young investigators, cadets and students is unthinkable without this movie.”

Some frames of The Dawns Here Are Quiet were demonstrated during the gala and the actors and participants of the shooting could share their recollections and impressions about the filming. Those in attendance also commemorated the memory of actors, the director and the crew who passed away by a silence minute.

The present noted the unforgettable skills of actors, director of photography, director and designer which make one watch the movie again and again and to sympathize with the characters. Decades later the movie still brings out the best in people: love to their homeland, selflessness, an ability to give their lives for their friends for the common goal –victory over an enemy. The movie has never become obsolete or old-fashioned and keeps on living in the heart of our people while the heroic deed of the girls who died for their homeland will serve as an example of this great love to the Motherland especially for the younger generation. All the feats performed by war heroes were performed for the sake of the future.  

The guests supported the employees of the Investigative Committee seeking to revive and develop patriotic traditions, and thanked Mr. Bastrykin for supporting the initiative of holding the gala on the eve of the Defender of the Fatherland Day. The Chairman noted the necessity and importance of such holding such events involving young investigators, cadet and students of the Investigative Committee educational institutions on the one part and gifted actors of the Soviet cinema, veterans of investigation, reciters of patriotic poems and performers of music on the other, promoting the unity and connection of generations.

In the conclusion of the event Mr. Bastrykin awarded guests of honor medals, awards, letters of commendations, flowers and presents.

Acting Head of Media Relations                                                                                                           S.L. Petrenko