“Eternal Time of Alexander Nevsky” provoked discussion in the cinema club

Joint project of the Presidential Library and the "Lennauchfilm" - cinema club - at the second meeting turned into a discussion forum. Active exchange of sharp views provoked the film "Eternal Time of Alexander Nevsky" demonstrated November 29, 2012. The film was presented by author of the script and director, Peter Soldatenkov.

The pre-view (the film is not yet showing in cinemas) was anticipated by an address of Konstantin Knyaginin, Director for science of the Presidential Library and Anton Smirnov, Director of the "Lennauchfilm". Head of pilgrimage service of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, hieromonk Anthony who attends the cinema club with the blessing of the governor, bishop Nazar, said: "The film "Eternal Time of Alexander Nevsky" will be released on the eve of a big anniversary - in 2013 the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra marks its 300 years. The cinema club meeting was not only the first project of the Presidential Library related to the significant event, but the start of the secular celebrations in honor of it."

The film was made in accordance with the tradition of high-quality domestic popular science movie. However, from the first shot it became clear: there won’t be a textbook interpretation of the image of Alexander Nevsky. On the screen argue both, the experts - university historians, archaeologists, tour guides, and the younger generation - seminarians, future civil servants, students and young officers, students from the provinces. Questions are posed by the students of the Institute of Film and Television, who not only were involved in the shooting, but were also offered to be interviewers. In 70 minutes of screen time, they will not only take an interview, but will also try to understand - what is the eternal time of Alexander Nevsky. One of the answers to this question was given in the offscreen commentary. The passage quoted from "The life and work of the Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky", 1883, an electronic copy of which is held in the Presidential Library, says that the identity of this person, "is not only extremely interesting in historical terms, but also serves as an excellent example of a deep state wisdom, effort, energy, and sacrifice - for the benefit of the Russian land."

There were a lot of questions to the filmmakers, and they concerned the ways of presentation, disclosure of the identity of Alexander Nevsky, the relevance of the image in our time. The discussion showed that this kind of films is needed, it makes one think. Personality of the grand Russian prince is great and versatile - its leadership talent guarded the land of Novgorod from conquests from the west, and the diplomatic wisdom, the ability to the sacrifice minimized the Tartar presence. In addition to the victories of Alexander Yaroslavich in the Battle of Neva and the Battle on the Ice, there were also numerous trips to the Horde. "No matter how hard and bitter it was for the undefeated hero, patriot to go to the Horde, he understood that only his humility could weaken national disaster and save his homeland," that is how is described the first "mission" of the prince in a book from the collection of the Presidential Library, published to the 200th anniversary of the Lavra in 1913. It also includes quotes from the chronicles when Batu Khan talked to his milieu: "So I was told the truth: there is no prince, equal to this one." Shrewd politician and strategist, humble Christian, after difficult and numerous negotiations, Alexander Nevsky prevented Russian North-West from the invasions of the Horde.

Hagiography of the prince was written 20 years after his death, he was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church. At the Monument erected to the Millennium of Russia in Novgorod, Alexander Nevsky is depicted with a sword in the shape of a cross - this symbolic image also discloses his identity. The Presidential Library, on the 300th anniversary of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in 2013, plans to continue the cultural, informational and educational campaigns.

New meetings of the cinema club will also take place. It is actively developing and bringing together a wide range of participants. Its meetings are broadcast live, video version of the events will be available on the web site of the Presidential Library.