A worthy "continuation" of the legendary "In August 44th" In the last year in the Belarusian cinema is not without scandals. Not yet had time to come out “Autoschool” and “Hold on to the clouds” – as already overgrown with all sorts of rumors and gossip. A similar story happened with the project of Alexander Anisimov. In fact, the director of the picture he was appointed at the very last moment. Anyone who is aware of the matter understands the whole situation: the scandal with the author of the script and the original director Andrei Golubev, who was removed from the project after the appointment of the new general director of Belarusfilm (this is already personal, since the place of I. Porshnev was supposed to take the same A. Golubev) and lobbying interests, and an agreement with Yegor Konchalovsky as a likely director, which eventually did not take place, and scandalous statements of the Union of Poles.
The choice of director Alexander Anisimov surprised me a little. Better known for his documentary projects, in a full meter he has already managed to declare himself a successful children's "Incredible Movement" - a cheerful, mischievous family picture that does not at all fit with the action-packed detective, which is "Traces on the Water". However, the latter, taking into account some flaws, came out a very good film, in general mood similar to the legendary “In August of the 44th”. But more on that later. At the premiere A. Anisimov admitted that due to the late connection to work, he had very little time left (remember, the release of the film in advance was scheduled for the end of February and timed to the 100th anniversary of the Belarusian police). As a result, the picture was made in a record short time for Belarusian cinema - in just 4 and a half months. Given the overall high merits of the film is an undeniable achievement.
Back in the summer of 2015, “Footprints on the Water” won the national film competition, under which the state allocates significant funding for the project (usually 1-2 million dollars). One of the conditions is a careful adherence to the stated theme, as well as the deadline for the delivery of the film. In addition, all actors in the film must be Belarusian. I decided to do this to prove that you can make a very good movie in Belarus. Artem Kuren, Veronika Plyashkevich, Pyotr Yurchenkov are wonderful actors, whom I would especially mention, Anisimov said. And yet the choice of Artem Kuren (and this is his first major role in the film career), I think, was not quite successful. His main character, Senior Lieutenant Smolic, came out too prim-official, inanimate. This was especially evident in his first scenes in the film.
The film involves many Belarusian actors , both beginners and old guard. I was pleased with the connection to the project of Peter Yurchenkov, who was so fond of me after the film “Guide” by A. Efremov. His play was very natural and organic, and his actions and dialogues were believed unconditionally. It is a pity that Igor Sigov and Tatiana Cherdintseva got only small, almost episodic roles, although they are capable of much more. Veronika Plyaszkiewicz coped well with the role of the Polish lady, however, she had a few limps in Polish - not so much pronunciation as many words were replaced by Russians. Could this be the story of the writer?
Scenario and in its general mood the film strongly reminded me of the last work of Mikhail Ptashuk. The same search and liquidation of gangs/traitors, the general atmosphere of general intimidation and suspicion of the population, shootouts, misunderstanding of the authorities, and finally ... the moment of truth. The latter, I think, could have been worked on and “twisted”, adding psychological and dramatic, as did the same M. Ptashuk 15 years ago (a favorite scene in the film “August 44th” I think for many). According to A. Golubev, it took him as much as eight years to write the script, although the picture is based on the novel by Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of Police Colonel Nikolai Ilyinsky “Aliens Among Their Own” (another name is “In an Emergency – Destroy”).
The film, like the book, is based on a real story recently discovered in the archives: a traitor, an assistant of the SS, managed to escape, and he killed a Soviet soldier, took possession of his documents, penetrated the police under a false name ... Today in the Museum of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus you can see portraits of real people who became prototypes of the heroes of the film. N. Ilyinsky explains: "Under the name of the head of the Porechsky district police department Sergey Aksenovych (the role of Igor Denisov), Mikhail Fedotov was withdrawn - the real head of the Novogrudok district department of internal affairs. In the film, you can see the leader of one of the gangs (really existing) - Lynx (Role of Sergei Yurevich).
What struck me was the almost complete lack of attention to the picture. It is clear that on the fourth day after the premiere, it is not necessary to expect a full house in the hall, but I did not think that I would be the third person at the show (except for me, an elderly couple sat in the hall - judging by the straightening, a retired man was related to the police). Looking at the pride and feelings he felt after the show, it remains to be regretted that so little attention is paid to the popularization of Belarusian cinema. In Grodno (and this is the regional center) there is no advertising of the film, and only those who are actually interested in / proud of domestic cinema can learn about it (I will not be cunning - there are hardly many such). The Ministry of Culture noted that a significant share of the allocated funds is allocated for the popularization of the film studio, which usually does not happen. Since the filming of “Footprints on the Water” took place at the request of the state (Ministry of Culture) and at the expense of state funds, by the state film studio (Belarusfilm), it seems to me that the state should take this under special control, and not get away with the task of “carefully working out the concept of promoting the picture.” There is a very lack of advertising in transport, newspapers, and, of course, on television (why Western, even Russian tapes advertise, but they are stubbornly silent about their own). To go or not to the screening - everyone will decide for themselves, but after all, many simply do not know about films!
But the movie is really worth it. It has everything that will please the modern viewer, and of all ages. These are exciting chases and shootouts: I counted eight (!) quite interesting “smart” scenes with double ambushes, castlings, set-ups, dizzying complex tricks (flying motorcycles and lunges, one episode with a burning house is worth what). And these are not 30-second moments, but full 5-minute scenes. Consider that half of the film comes out - an exciting action movie in excellent historical costumes, scenery and entourage. There will be something to see and connoisseurs of intellectual psychological cinema: the calculation of the traitor, the atmosphere of time itself is well conveyed - the total intimidation of the population, the plot with the sending of your man, the study of the main characters.
In my opinion, a worthy “continuation” of the legendary “In August of the 44th”, which should be seen.
8 out of 10