On Black Ice
On Black Ice[1] (Belarusian: На чорных лядах, On black burned fields) is a Belarusian drama film based on two short stories by Vasil Bykau, On Black Ice (Belarusian: На чорных лядах) and Before the End (Belarusian: Перад канцом).[2]
| On Black Ice | |
|---|---|
| На чорных лядах | |
| Directed by | Valery Ponomaryov |
| Written by | Vasil Bykau, Valery Ponomaryov |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 67 minutes |
| Country | Belarus |
| Language | Belarusian |
Plot
A group of Belarusian anti-Soviet insurgents from the failed Slutsk Defence Action wanders through forests, fleeing the from the surrounding Bolshevik army. To escape captivity or death in battle with a subsequent identification of their bodies and retaliation against their families, the insurgents decide to commit group suicide in a place hidden from the Bolsheviks. Only the youngest of the insurgents is let to bury the others' bodies and live on.
Production and distribution
The premiere of the movie was scheduled for soon after the controversial referendum held by the authoritarian pro-Russian president Aliaksandr Lukashenka,[3] but never took place as the only copy of the film had allegedly been stolen before the event. The copy was later found again.[4]
According to media, the film was banned by Lukashenka's chief ideologist of that time, Vladimir Zametalin.[4] Valery Ponomaryov, the film's director, was banned from further work in the film industry. The movie has been distributed illegally through VHS and DVD in Belarus and abroad.[3]
On Black Ice was allegedly invited to participate in several international film festivals but Belarusfilm as the official right holder did not respond to the invitations.[3]
See also
References
- Vasil Bykau - Belarusian writer who challenged Soviet abuses by Arnold McMillin, the Guardian, 25 July 2003
- Kino-teatr.ru
- "Аўтару кінастужкі пра Слуцкае паўстанне на "Беларусьфільме" раілі застрэліцца ўслед за ягонымі героямі" [Author of a film about the Slutsk Uprising was advised by Belarusfilm to shoot himself like his movie's heroes did]. Belsat. 2017-01-09.
- "Увидит ли зритель фильм "На Чорных лядах"?" [Will the public see On Black Burnt Fields?]. Narodnaja Volia. 2010-06-28. Archived from the original on 2010-07-04.