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Gorbachev and "Repentance"
Reva 2022-06-17 21:29:56
In the autumn of 1986, after censoring the film "Repentance," Gorbachev confided this secret to three interviewers from the Italian Communist Party: There were several scenes in the film that he watched with tears in his eyes. He said a scene in the film - the secret police knocking on an innocent musician's door to throw him in jail without any justifiable reason - reminded him of what his grandmother had told him about the day his grandfather was arrested Story of the night. Later, Gorbachev said to his assistant: "I must make more copies so that everyone in the country can watch this film." This is the first film to ruthlessly expose Stalin's reign of terror .
Extended Reading
Top cast
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Mikheil Koresheli: I understand, but this is not an argument for the letter's authors.
Varlam Aravidze: Maybe the artist's talent isn't a strong argument for them either? They have in mind his stand.
Mikheil Koresheli: What are you talking about? Talent is kindness, and that's already a stand!
Varlam Aravidze: I understand that Sandro Barateli is your friend and pupil.By the way, do you know that he's my relative?
Mikheil Koresheli: No... I didn't know that.
Varlam Aravidze: Even a close relative. Write a protest, esteemed Mikhail. Barateli is arrested, but he's not convicted. I was just executing the people's will, masses stand behind that letter. And each word coming from the masses is the holy of holies for me. Write a protest, esteemed Mikhail.
Mikheil Koresheli: To write a protest?
Varlam Aravidze: Yes, I have nothing against it.
Mikheil Koresheli: Wait, wait... What do you mean, "nothing against it"? What can you possibly have against the truth?
Varlam Aravidze: The truth? Nothing.
Mikheil Koresheli: Well, I'll write it!
Varlam Aravidze: Go ahead, write it. But take that letter into account, too.
Mikheil Koresheli: What does that letter, that filth have to do with it? That provocation?
Varlam Aravidze: Not a provocation, but a document registered in thousands of places.
Mikheil Koresheli: I don't care where it's registered.
Varlam Aravidze: You're wrong, esteemed Mikhail. It's my duty to take the position of the majority, for the majority decides.
Mikheil Koresheli: What majority? What are you talking about? One man of reason outweighs a thousand idiots.
Varlam Aravidze: I understand that you're talking about me.
Mikheil Koresheli: Stand up for him. Defending one person is not such a big deal.
Varlam Aravidze: But remember, as the letter's authors see it, you're protecting the enemy. Yes, your friend and my relative is our enemy now. And we are his victims.
Mikheil Koresheli: Who is the enemy? Who is the enemy?
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Mikheil Koresheli: Listen, Sandro. I thought a lot. I was thinking all nights through. We must name as many people as possible as the nation's enemies. They can't arrest them all. And when the number of the accused reaches an astronomical figure, those at the top will think twice, convene an extraordinary assembly and expose all the criminals that have misled the government. Do you understand, Sandro? This is tactics. A cunning, crafty tactics. We'll sign everything, we'll bring it to absurdity, to absolute nonsense. We'll make thousands of absurd statements. The tunnel from Bombay to London, and so on. Eventually, the government will understand everything. It will become indignant, get, with its iron hand, at the throat of the villains and destroy them. I've been suggested all this by the wisdom of imagination. Do you understand me, Sandro?