Letters to the Editor

To the Editors:

While on a medical mission to Cuba in the early 70’s I saw a Russian film titled “The Seige” or “900 days”. I cannot recall the exact title, but it was the Russian film regarding the seige of Leningrad.

Is this film available on DVD or cassette? With English subtitles would be great, but Spanish or just Russian would do ...

Melvin Shaffer

Richmond, VA

Mr. Shaffer:

We have researched this, but are unable to find a Russian film by this name available in the West. There was, however, a rather well received film, Leningrad: The Hero City (1968), produced by the BBC, which you may be able to find with help from a local video store. We found used copies available on Amazon. Additionally, there is a fine US documentary series (1995, 5 videos) called Russia’s War: Blood Upon the Snow, which features previously unseen footage of the war in Russia. Finally, you will want to check out the selections offered by International Historic Film (773-927-2900; see ad, page 31), especially the 1943 film, Russia at War.

— The Editors

To the Editors:

I am enjoying another good issue of Russian Life.  Your experience with the con artist, which you described on the editorial page, brought to mind my experience when living in Moscow in early 2000. A man came from behind me, reached across in front of me and acted like he was picking up a wallet from the sidewalk. (I believe it was in his possession all the time.) Speaking in English, he opened the wallet, flashed the cash and said he would split it with me. I just told him I didn’t need anything, that it was his since he found it, and continued walking at the same speed. So he touched my shoulder, smiled and was on his way to another victim... My pride was deflated because he so easily picked me out to be an American. I had lived there a few months by then and thought I was fitting in quite well with the culture. But that let me know how vulnerable I was.

Thank you for printing the words of the Russian National Anthem. Wonder if you know a website where I could find the music?

And a little input on articles. I am delighted to see the article on the Bashkortostan bee keepers and the new series “A day in the life,” as this is the real day-to-day living. It is hard for us common people to relate to champions, CEO’s and nationally- or internationally-acclaimed personalities. I look forward to articles on a miner’s life, life on a farm, a factory worker, a school teacher, a hospital employee ...

Thanks, a continuing subscriber,

Michael Payne

by email

Mr. Payne:

We have set up a link to a digitized version of the national anthem at the Russian Life website (russian-life.com), as well as a link to where you can purchase CD recordings of the Soviet National Anthem—the same tune as the present Russian anthem; just the words have been changed.

— The Editors

To the Editors:

I enjoyed your article on St. Petersburg and certainly recommend a visit to this incredible city. Our guide took us off the regular itinerary to a place not even listed in our guide books, which I would strongly advise to any visitor to the city. This would be the Piskaryovskoye Cemetery and War Museum. It commemorates the heroism and sacrifices made during the 900 day Siege of Leningrad during the Second World War. A small museum, large statue, and eternal flame honor the citizens of the city. The cemetery contains about 470,000 bodies buried in communal graves, of people who died during the siege. It is a sobering place, but definitely worth including in a visit to this beautiful city.

Lee Mattson

To the Editors:

In 1991, our local PBS station showed an incredible film called “Age 7 in the USSR,” which I was able to tape. The film team was to return to Russia and film these same children at the age of 14, 21, etc. ...

I have never seen nor found out any information on the following film ...

Barbara A. Tenpas

Poquoson, VA

Ms. Tenpas:

We researched this and, indeed, a second film has been made. It is called 14 Up: Born in the USSR. It was produced by Granada Films for the BBC, directed by Sergei Miroshnichenko, and narrated by Robert Carlyle. The film won the International Emmy in 1999 for Best Documentary, but, as far as we can tell, has not been shown on TV outside the UK or Australia, nor can we find it on video. Perhaps this information will be helpful to your PBS station, however.

— The Editors