True Friends (film)
Encyclopedia
True Friends is a 1954 dramatic comedy film directed by Mikhail Kalatozov
.
, when political control over Soviet cinema relaxed considerably. Josephin Woll wrote that "his death liberated director Kalatozov... True Friends was his first Thaw project." Its script was submitted for approval in 1952, but it was only authorized for filming after Stalin's passing away.
, it was Ex aequo
awarded the Crystal Globe
in the 1954 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
.
The New York Times critic wrote that the film "makes for a surprisingly relaxed and sometimes infectious adventure." Mira and Antonin Liehm commented that "it is almost incredible how fresh and new this film seemed, with its tame satirical theme." John Wakeman regarded it as a "subtle and often very funny satire". David C. Gillespie opined that it is "an important, largely successful attempt... in addressing the legacy of Stalinism and its effects on the psyche and behaviour of people." Josephine Woll concluded that True Friends "broke little new ground", reflecting the slow start of the Thaw in 1954, but that it satisfied the audience's "hunger" for films that, "banal plot and schematic characters notwithstanding, portrayed their life with some veracity."
Mikhail Kalatozov
Mikhail Kalatozov born Mikheil Kalatozishvili was a Georgian/Russian film director. Born in Tiflis , he studied economics before starting his film career as an actor and later cinematographer....
.
Plot
Alexander, Boris and Vasily are three old friends, who now rarely see each other as they are busy with their professional life. They embark on long-planned voyage on a raft down the Volga river, which turns into a series of comical accidents but also strengthens their friendship.Cast
- Vasili MerkuryevVasili Merkuryev-Selected filmography:* The Return of Maxim * Professor Mamlock * The Vyborg Side * The Great Glinka * The Vow * The Battle of Stalingrad * True Friends * Twelfth Night...
as Vasili Nestratov - Boris ChirkovBoris ChirkovBoris Petrovich Chirkov was a Soviet actor. He appeared in 50 films between 1928 and 1975. In 1941, he was awarded the Stalin Prize; in 1975, he was awarded the Hero of Socialist Labour.-Selected filmography:* Alone * Chapaev...
as Boris Chizhov - Alexander Fyodorovich Borisov as Alexander Lapin
- Alexey GribovAlexey GribovAlexey Nikolayevich Gribov was a Soviet actor.He was born in 1902 in Moscow. Alexey Gribov starred in more than sixty the films and the movies and he was an actor of the Moscow Art Theatre. He was a People's Artist of the USSR and Hero of Socialist Labour...
as Nekhoda - Mikhail PugovkinMikhail PugovkinMikhail Ivanovich Pugovkin was a Soviet/Russian comic actor named a People's Artist of the USSR in 1988.He studied in the Moscow Art Theatre school under Ivan Moskvin, took part in World War II and, following demobilisation, was featured in the 1944 all-star cast adaptation of Anton Chekhov's The...
as club entertainer
Production
True Friends was made in the aftermath of the death of Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee...
, when political control over Soviet cinema relaxed considerably. Josephin Woll wrote that "his death liberated director Kalatozov... True Friends was his first Thaw project." Its script was submitted for approval in 1952, but it was only authorized for filming after Stalin's passing away.
Reception
With 30.9 million tickets sold, True Friends was the seventh highest-grossing Soviet film of 1954. Together with Salt of the EarthSalt of the Earth
Salt of the Earth is an American drama film written by Michael Wilson, directed by Herbert J. Biberman, and produced by Paul Jarrico. All had been blacklisted by the Hollywood establishment due to their alleged involvement in communist politics....
, it was Ex aequo
Ex aequo et bono
Ex aequo et bono is a phrase derived from Latin that is used as a legal term of art...
awarded the Crystal Globe
Crystal Globe
Crystal Globe is the main award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, first given in the city of Karlovy Vary of the Czech Republic, in 1948.In the international competition of films, IFFKV presents the following awards:...
in the 1954 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in July in Karlovy Vary , Czech Republic. The Karlovy Vary Festival gained worldwide recognition over the past years and has become one of Europe's major film events....
.
The New York Times critic wrote that the film "makes for a surprisingly relaxed and sometimes infectious adventure." Mira and Antonin Liehm commented that "it is almost incredible how fresh and new this film seemed, with its tame satirical theme." John Wakeman regarded it as a "subtle and often very funny satire". David C. Gillespie opined that it is "an important, largely successful attempt... in addressing the legacy of Stalinism and its effects on the psyche and behaviour of people." Josephine Woll concluded that True Friends "broke little new ground", reflecting the slow start of the Thaw in 1954, but that it satisfied the audience's "hunger" for films that, "banal plot and schematic characters notwithstanding, portrayed their life with some veracity."
External links
- True Friends on the IMDb.
- True Friends on kino-teatr.ru.
- True Friends on kinoros.ru.