• Source: Belorussian Station

Belorussian Station (Russian: Белорусский вокзал, romanized: Belorusski vokzal) is a 1971 Soviet drama film directed by Andrei Smirnov.




Plot


In the summer of 1945, a group of former comrades-in-arms parted ways at Belorussky Station after the war, having last gathered in 1946 to celebrate the birthday of their former commander, Valentin Matveev. Now, over twenty years later in 1970, they reunite in Moscow to bid farewell to Matveev, who has passed away. The tense atmosphere of the funeral, complicated by the widow’s emotional distress, leaves them unable to properly honor their friend’s memory. The four men—now leading very different lives as a factory director, chief accountant, journalist, and municipal repairman—find themselves wandering Moscow in search of a quiet place to reminisce. While contending with everyday responsibilities and interruptions, they recall the solidarity and sacrifices of their wartime bond, revealing layers of their characters and unshaken loyalty to their friendships. Their late commander’s memory serves as a moral compass throughout, a constant reminder of their shared past.
The film culminates at the home of Raya, a former battalion nurse who initially doesn’t recognize them. Upon hearing of Matveev’s death, she gathers her strength to sing their cherished song, honoring the memory of the "unbreakable" 10th Airborne Battalion of the 1st Belorussian Front. The narrative poignantly contrasts the outlooks and values of these veterans with the younger generation, depicting a post-war world where no battle scenes are shown, and shots are only heard in the form of the farewell salute at the cemetery. Without a single scene of wartime action, Andrei Smirnov’s film is widely regarded as one of the most profound works about World War II, capturing the emotional depth and enduring significance of their wartime experiences.




Writing and filming


The original script written in 1966 by Vadim Trunin was significantly different from the final one shot in the film. According to that scenario, young people at the restaurant began to mock the four front-line friends, and it came to a fight. The former paratroopers easily come out of it victorious, but the called police took the side of young people (one of them had influential parents). The police tried to arrest the four friends but instead the policemen became victims themselves.
Film director Andrei Smirnov was picking actors for this film for a very long time. Thus, the role of the director of the plant Kharlamov was auditioned for by Mikhail Ulyanov and even Eldar Ryazanov. Nikolay Rybnikov wanted to play the role of the simple locksmith, but Yevgeny Leonov was stronger in the screen test. The character of accountant Dubinsky was conceived as an analogue to Aramis, who would be played by the "classic" intellectual – Innokenty Smoktunovsky or Nikolai Grinko. As a result, Andrei Smirnov chose Anatoly Papanov, who surprisingly combined softness and sentimentality with brutality and power.
Direction of Mosfilm approved Inna Makarova on the role of the nurse Raisa, but Andrei Smirnov insisted on the candidacy of Nina Urgant.




Music


The text of song for the movie, ("We need only one victory") was written by poet Bulat Okudzhava on request by director Andrei Smirnov. The music was also written by Okudzhava and adopted by Alfred Schnittke in the form of a march to be played at the military parades on Victory Day (9 May). During the filming of the finale Smirnov asked Nina Urgant not to cry when she sings. She managed to do it only after several attempts.




Cast


Yevgeny Leonov as Ivan Prikhodko, locksmith, former military intelligence commander
Anatoli Papanov as Nikolai I. Dubinsky, accountant, former military radioman
Vsevolod Safonov as Aleksey K. Kirushin, journalist, a former miner
Aleksey Glazyrin as Viktor S. Kharlamov, director of the plant, a former sapper
Nina Urgant as Raisa, former nurse
Raisa Kurkina as Lidia A. Matveeva, widow of the Valentin Matveev, former comrade-in-arms of main characters
Lyubov Sokolova as Luba Prikhodko, Ivan Prikhodko's wife
Nikifor Kolofidin as gen. Andrey A. Puhov, Lidia Matveeva's father
Yuri Orlov as Vladimir Matveev, Lidia Matveeva's son
Nikolai Volkov as director of the plant, Nikolai Dubinsky's chief
Aleksandr Janvarjov as driver Sasha, owner of the car Moskvitch
Margarita Terekhova as Natasha Shipilova, Sasha's girlfriend
Valentina Anan'ina as Katya, housekeeper in Matveev family
Ludmila Arinina as doctor
Yuri Vizbor as Balashov, chief-engineer
Yuri Volyntsev as police sergeant
Vladimir Grammatikov as Grisha, Kharlamov's driver
Valeri Malyshev as police lieutenant
Viktor Proskurin as Petr, Ivan Prikhodko's young colleague
Elena Skachkova as Raisa's daughter




Awards


Award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (1971)




References






External links


Belorusski vokzal at IMDb

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Andrei Smirnov (pemeran)
• Yevgeny Leonov
• Pengeboman metro Sankt-Peterburg 2017
• Belorussian Station
• Vsevolod Safonov
• Operation Bagration
• Andrei Smirnov (actor)
• Yevgeny Leonov
• Yuri Vizbor
• Anastasia Sivayeva
• You and Me (1971 film)
• Lyubov Sokolova (actress)
• Margarita Terekhova