VALENTINE WEEK SPECIAL-3.

SOVIET'S GREAT ROMANTIC..'THE CRANES ARE FLYING'!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Tatyana Samoilova & Aleksey Batalov in romantic scene of  'The Cranes Are Flying' (1957).

Soviet filmmaker Mikhail Kalatozov.

Humanity and Love always suffer in a war situation! That effectively depicted in Soviet's classic film 'The Cranes Are Flying' (1957). Special thing about this film is great acting of legendary Soviet/Russian actress Tatyana Samoilova who still best known for female protagonist she portrayed in it..Veronica!

Tatyana Samoilova in 'The Cranes Are Flying' cinematographed Sergey Urusevsky!

'People's Artist of the USSR'..Georgian origin Soviet director Mikhail Kalatozov sensibly made this film at 'Mosfilm' on the play of Victor Rozov! 

On the backdrop of World War II film's story centres on the passionate love of Veronika for her boyfriend Boris (played by Aleksey Batalov) who is missing, actually killed in the war! Beautiful actress Tatyana Samoilova very sensitively performed this character..which represents Soviet women in the cotext of aftermath of the aforementioned war!

Pretty Tatyana Samoilova.

In this subjective camera work done by renowned Soviet cinematographer Sergey Urusevsky who did experiments with visuals..like war & emotions of people which powerfully came on screen! For that Mariya Timofeyeva's Editing worked effectively..And Moisev Vaynberg's music also contributed!

This film won many international awards with prestigious 'Palme d'Or' at 'Cannes Film Festival'..the only Soviet film to win that award. In this actress Tatyana Samoilova also won special award. Latter she was named a 'People's Artists of Russia'!

Tatyana Samoilova in climax of 'The Cranes Are Flying' (1957).

During my degree course of 'Communication & Journalism' in 1988 at Ranade Institue (University of Pune) I also looked after our Film Club and arranged screenings of important films in the history of world cinema..And in that screened this 'The Cranes Are Flying' also!..Still remember the reactions of our group while watching this great film!


- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune, India]