Film screenings of films about the Russian Arctic will be held as part of the cultural program of the IAF

The films "North Pole" and "Village of Widows" will be screened in Murmansk as part of the cultural program of the International Arctic Forum "Arctic – Territory of Dialogue", which will be held on March 26-27, 2025. These films tell about the inextricable link between the past and the present, about the exploits of the Russian people, immortalized in stories of unity, perseverance and love for the Fatherland. The forum will be held under the slogan "Live in the North!" and will become a unique platform for discussing topical issues of life and development in the Arctic region of Russia.

"Through cinema and other forms of cultural expression, the Forum's program helps to draw the attention of a wide audience to the Russian Arctic, its history and understanding of its role in the development of the country. The screening of such films is of exceptional importance: it forms a comprehensive understanding of the specifics of the region and its inhabitants, and also allows you to learn about the heroism and dedication of people who devoted their lives to the Arctic in different periods of Russian history. Together, this is important for fostering pride in their homeland and patriotism in the hearts of citizens, and promotes interest in exploring the region," said Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee for the Preparation and Holding of the International Arctic Forum.

The film of the Russian North film company "North Pole" is based on real events of the 1960s, when the first Soviet nuclear submarine K-3 Leninsky Komsomol passed under the pack ice of the Arctic Ocean and for the first time in the history of the Russian navy surfaced in the immediate vicinity of the North Pole. The events unfold against the backdrop of the confrontation between the two superpowers during the Caribbean crisis. Starring: Andrey Merzlikin, Evgeny Mironov, Olga Lomonosova and Elena Sever.

"The history of Arctic exploration and the conquest of the North Pole is absolutely comparable in importance to the history of space exploration, and in terms of its saturation with important events, it even surpasses it. This is not just a story about the courage and breakthrough technologies of Soviet scientists, it is a story about people who were willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of an idea. Our film is a reminder that heroism is born not in orders, but in the heart. The Arctic was and still is of great geopolitical importance for the country, for its defense capability, and for its influence in the world. And we are glad that we were able to reflect the versatility of the Arctic theme in the film "North Pole"," said Elena Sever, general producer and actress of the film.

For his part, the director of the film, Alexander Kott, noted: "This film is not only about the heroic past, but also about the present. It's important to remember that the world is on a delicate balance, and sometimes one decision can change history."

In turn, the documentary short film of the Interstate Television and Radio Company Mir Village of Widows, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, tells about the feat of the inhabitants of the polar village of Varzuga, founded in 1466, all the men of which went to the front in 1941-1945. In memory of them, the only national monument in Russia has been erected in Varzug, where the photographs next to the men show portraits of their widows, of whom 29 remained in the village after the war.

"I was told that none of the war widows in Varzug got married again. This northern village was struck by its amazing respect for the family and dedication to it. Everyone there remembers the names and knows the fate of their relatives for several generations. There are the same surnames on the monument and in the credits of our film. The Moshnikovs and the Vopiyashins, the Popovs and the Zaborshchikovs have been living in Varzug for almost five centuries. They're in no hurry. They address each other by their first and middle names. Our film is about the inner strength of these people," said Olga Martisova, the screenwriter and producer of the film.

Russian cinema in the films "The North Pole" and "Village of Widows" presents two completely different, but equally poignant stories about human resilience. While "North Pole" celebrates the heroic feat of submariners conquering the Arctic elements and expanding the boundaries of knowledge, "Village of Widows" shows the depth of the national soul, perseverance, the ability to preserve humanity and traditions in the most difficult conditions, which is an important part of Russian culture. Together, these films create a multifaceted portrait of Russia and emphasize the importance of preserving history to shape the country's future.

The film screenings will be held on March 27 at 18:00 (Village of Widows), 19:00 (North Pole) and March 29 at 19:30 (North Pole). at the Sopki 21A Center for Contemporary Art at the Murmansk State Universal Scientific Library.

The International Arctic Forum "The Arctic – the Territory of Dialogue" is a key platform for discussing topical issues of socio-economic development of the Arctic territories, developing multi-level multilateral mechanisms for joint disclosure and effective development of the powerful resource potential of the Arctic region. The event is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation.