Heroic moment: pages of military history came to life on Red Square
In the very heart of Moscow, on Red Square, tanks, planes, howitzers, military vehicles, motorcycles and artillery tractors are once again standing. The occasion is significant — the 84th anniversary of the legendary 1941 military parade. One of the key exhibits is the famous MiG-3 fighter jet. Similar machines participated in the defense of Moscow, and it was this aircraft that was filmed in the heroic comedy "There is only a Moment." The details are in the Izvestia report.
A legendary moment in the cinema and in reality
In the next two days on Red Square, anyone will be able to take a close look at the equipment, look inside, and learn about the military dynasties and exploits of the Soviet people in the air and on the ground. The open-air museum "City of Living Stories" stretches from the Historical Museum to Vasilyevsky Descent. It is dedicated to a memorable and incredibly risky day for its time.
On November 7, 1941, when German troops were stationed at the walls of Moscow, a large-scale march took place on its main square. The training was conducted in the strictest secrecy under the personal supervision of Stalin and the command of the Moscow Military District. The date and time of the parade were not disclosed. All troops were put on alert due to the threat of an air raid. Nevertheless, the parade took place, and its impact on the Soviet people was so strong that thousands of young people from all over the country subsequently volunteered for the front.
Since 2005, Russia's Military Glory Day has been celebrated annually on Red Square. The exhibition is opened by four aircraft: the I-16 fighter, popularly called the "donkey", the U-2 bomber, the amphibious aircraft Sh-2, capable of landing on both water and land, as well as the high-altitude fighter-interceptor MiG-3. The latter became not only the hero of the exhibition, but also a full-fledged character in the new film "There is only a Moment", which will be released in wide release on November 27.
The film is set in 1944, when the Red Army, having liberated the eastern borders of Poland, continued its journey to the West. The main character, the brilliant fighter pilot Ivan Polivanov, is in charge of a deceptive airfield, a mock—up designed to mislead the enemy, after being seriously wounded. In the depths of the forest, Ivan finds the wreckage of a MiG and dreams of giving it back its wings and giving himself the opportunity to take to the sky again.
Actor Daniil Popov during the promotion for the release of the film "There is only a Moment" as part of the exhibition in honor of the 84th anniversary of the 1941 military parade on Red Square
The main role was played by Daniil Popov. In preparation for filming, he completed a special aviation course.:
— I wanted to go to flight school — it was my dream, but I didn't pass due to my health. But thanks to the film, I was able to become a real pilot for a while. While preparing for the role, I read the book "Know Yourself in Battle" by the Soviet aviation ace General Alexander Pokryshkin. He went through the entire war, flew 650 missions, conducted 140 aerial battles, and described flight tactics in an amazing way. I tried to absorb it and convey it on the screen," Daniil Popov told Izvestia.
According to the actor, once in the cockpit of the plane, he realized the importance of this car for the country. On Red Square, Popov really looked like a real Soviet pilot — in a threadbare tunic, tartan boots and with a wide smile. He willingly posed by the plane, which, according to him, he had become familiar with during the months of filming, and took pictures with everyone.
The film's producer, Igor Ugolnikov, noted that the authenticity of what was depicted was a priority for the Voenfilm studio. However, the genre, which the creators of the tape define as "heroic comedy", allowed the authors to fantasize a little without distorting events.
Igor Ugolnikov, General Director of the Voenfilm Studio, during the promotion for the release of the film "There is only a Moment" as part of the exhibition in honor of the 84th anniversary of the 1941 military parade on Red Square
— I think this is the first time we have offered such a genre to the audience. I don't know if he'll laugh, but I'd really like to," Ugolnikov told Izvestia against the backdrop of the famous fighter jet. — This is the very moment that in the winter of 1941, in a white coat with the inscription "For the Motherland" and a red arrow, fought on the outskirts of Moscow. The story of the false airfield is intertwined with the story of the defense of the city in our heroic comedy.
Director Alexander Zhigalkin does not see a contradiction in the genre definition of the film, on the contrary, he considers it accurate and modern.:
— The main characters are young guys. Despite the harsh heat of the war, they do not lose their sense of humor. This is a light and unexpectedly warm movie about people," Zhigalkin told Izvestia.
Military dynasties and national exploits
A total of 60 pieces of unique historical military equipment are on display at the exhibition. In addition to airplanes, there are tanks, howitzers, self-propelled guns, tractors and armored vehicles on the paving stones. You can approach everything, examine it, climb inside and even turn the levers.
This year, the organizers focused on the stories of eyewitnesses of the parade, participants in battles and military dynasties. Among them is the Samigullinsharipov family, whose three generations have devoted their lives to defending the country.
— I actually wanted to become an artist, but the military department assigned me to the Suvorov College. I dreamed of something else, but I agreed — and eventually I got into it. I was very proud when my son went to his home. And I am incredibly happy that our family's stand is represented on Red Square," retired Colonel Mudaris Sharipov told Izvestia.
The exposition is conventionally divided into ten thematic zones. They are dedicated to various aspects of the city's life in those years: the feat of women who fought alongside men; the achievements of Peter Kapitsa in the production of liquid oxygen; the work of museum staff who saved more than 12,000 exhibits from the Tretyakov Gallery; the courage of architectural students who, at night, without insurance, at a height of several meters, manually painted fake windows on GUM and painted over with camouflage paint the domes of temples.
Special attention is paid to the press and war correspondents. More than 800 journalists from the capital donned military uniforms and reported from the front line. Among them are Konstantin Simonov, whose poem "Wait for Me" was copied by hand; Mikhail Sholokhov, who wrote the novel "They Fought for the Motherland" in the trenches; and Vasily Lebedev—Kumach, the author of the immortal hymn "The Holy War", first published in Izvestia on June 24, 1941.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
