Dear Comrades (2020)

When the communist government raises food prices in 1962, the rebellious workers from the small industrial town of Novocherkassk go on strike. The massacre which then ensues is seen through the eyes of a devout party activist.

Director:

Andrey Konchalovskiy

Writers:

Andrey Konchalovskiy, Elena Kiseleva (co-writer)

Stars:

Yuliya Vysotskaya, Vladislav Komarov, Andrey Gusev

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 4 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Yuliya Vysotskaya	...	Lyuda
Vladislav Komarov	...	Loginov
Andrey Gusev	...	Viktor
Yuliya Burova	...	Svetka
Sergei Erlish	...	Lyuda's father
Alexander Maskelyne	...	Professor Ovodov
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Goga Pipinashvili	...	Anastas Mikoyan

Storyline

Novocherkassk, USSR, 1962. Lyudmila is a Party executive and devout communist who had fought in WWII for Stalin's ideology. Certain that her work will create a communist society, the woman detests any anti-Soviet sentiment. During a strike at the local electromotive factory, Lyudmila witnesses a laborers' piquet gunned down under orders from the government that seeks to cover up mass labor strikes in USSR. After the bloodbath, when survivors flee from the square, Lyudmila realizes her daughter has disappeared. A gaping rift opens in her worldview. Despite the blockade of the city, mass arrests, and the authorities' attempts to cover up the massacre, Lyudmila searches for her daughter. We don't know how the search will end, but realize that the woman's life won't ever be the same.

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Plot Keywords:

demonstration | ussr | communism | russian history | 1960s | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Official submission of Russia for the 'Best International Feature Film' category of the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021.

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Goofs

At the party meeting starting around 30:00, there are six Soviet officials seated at a long table addressing a group of local party members. The camera cuts back and forth between the officials and the party members, but at a couple of points when the camera cuts back to the officials, they are seated in a different order in different chairs.

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Connections

References Spring (1947)

User Reviews

Can violence make a blind enthusiast see?

Gripping portrayal of the bloody downthrow of the 1962 workers' uprise in Novocherkassk, told through the eyes of a convinced Soviet member of local government whose daughter goes missing after the incident that the KGB makes a government secret and seals off the city. Beautifully shot in black and white, with unusual camera perspectives, picture compositions and orchestrated movement within the frame. Excellent performance by the main actress and very skillful directing. Moving dramaturgy, despite a seeming gap in the middle and a relatively open ending, which give room for interpretation and pondering. Very worthwhile cinema.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Russia]

Country:

Russia

Language:

Russian

Release Date:

12 November 2020 (Russia)

Also Known As:

Dear Comrades

Filming Locations:

Novocherkassk, Rostovskaya oblast, Russia

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$156,771

Company Credits

Production Co:

Production Center of Andrei Konchalovsky

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1