Red Moscow

"General Sokov, I am deeply honored to be praised by you, a hero who participated in the Battle of Stalingrad." Eisenstein said with a smile: "I thought you would raise some objections to this script. What’s your opinion?”

Eisenstein's words made Sokov tremble. Just kidding, this script was obviously reviewed by Stalin. How can I dare to comment on a script approved by the supreme commander himself? This is not an old man hanging himself - he is too long-lived. What? He hurriedly waved his hands and said: "No, there is no difference of opinion. This script is really well written. If it is really filmed, I think it will be famous all over the world and let people all over the world know how we fought the German invaders in a bloody battle with Stalin." Gullah and ultimately defeat them."

"That's right, that's the original intention of making this movie." Hearing Sokov say this, Eisenstein felt as if he had found a soulmate. He nodded and said, "I can't believe it. You understand." Got this.”

"Comrade Eisenstein," Sokov felt a little uncomfortable hearing that Eisenstein always used the honorific "you" to address him, so he said tentatively: "We are considered friends now. I wonder if I can use it?" 'You' to call each other?"

"Yes, yes, of course." Eisenstein replied very readily: "Since we are friends, it is most appropriate to address each other with 'you'."

"Eisenstein, I have another question for Lee."

Eisenstein made a gesture of invitation to Sokov: "If you have anything, just ask."

"Since you are going to shoot "The Battle of Stalingrad", have you considered shooting another "Battle of Berlin"?"

Hearing Sokov's question, Eisenstein was silent for a moment and said with some hesitation: "The current filming task of our film studio is to make every effort to film "The Battle of Stalingrad". Films on other themes have been postponed or even canceled. .”

"I think these two movies can be shot at the same time." Sokov said to Eisenstein: "Even if the same army is shooting in the same place, the different shooting angles can be used in the two movies respectively. In different movies." Sokov's suggestion was not a sudden thought, but because he remembered that when filming the later "Battle of Stalingrad", the director also used most of the characters in this movie lens, and also filmed a film "Angel of Death" about female snipers in Stalingrad. Since the two subsequent movies can use a lot of similar plots, it is not a big deal that the troops who went to Vladimir to participate in the filming today appear in two movies at the same time.

Unexpectedly, after Sokov finished speaking, Eisenstein shook his head desperately and said: "No, Sokov, this is absolutely not possible. Lenses shot in the same place, even if they are shot at different angles, must not be used in different situations." This is disrespectful to the art of film."

Sokov had long guessed that a rigid person like Eisenstein would definitely oppose his proposal, so he did not argue, but once again put forward a point: "Eisenstein, if you don't start filming "Conquer" now, "Berlin" will probably cost more manpower, material and financial resources if it is filmed in the future."

Eisenstein looked at Sokov and asked puzzledly: "Sokov, I don't know what you mean by this. I didn't understand it clearly."

"Now that the war is over, our next job is to rebuild the city destroyed by the war." Sokov said with a serious expression: "If the filming of the movie "Capture Berlin" was delayed for several years, I am afraid that many The locations with battlefield characteristics will disappear, and if we want to recreate these battle scenes in the film, we must build sets, which will cost a lot of manpower, material and financial resources, leading to an increase in the cost of filming."

"Sokov, what you said makes sense." Eisenstein frowned after hearing this: "I want to think about it carefully."

"Eisenstein," Sokov saw that the other party was a little moved by what he said, so he said while the iron was hot: "Even if you don't plan to shoot the movie "Battle of Berlin" for the time being, you should send people to Berlin to shoot some street scenes so that you can shoot some street scenes in Berlin. It could be used in future movies.”

After listening to Sokov's words, Eisenstein gave him a thumbs up: "Sokov, you are right. Although we have no plans to shoot "Storming Berlin" for the time being, we can do some preliminary work first. Prepare and send people to Berlin to shoot street scenes first so that they can be used in future films."

"Comrade Eisenstein, Comrade Eisenstein." While the two were talking, a crew member ran over and said to Eisenstein: "The filming equipment has arrived at the train station, and the troops can be used to film the people boarding the train. Shot."

Eisenstein nodded, and then said to Kulak next to him: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, the filming is about to begin. Now you can take your people to the train station."

"Okay, Comrade Eisenstein." Kulak agreed, and then handed over an officer and told the other party: "Tell the soldiers that the filming is about to start, and ask everyone to put on their helmets and stick to their clothes. Is there any problem."

After the officer turned around to convey the order, Sokov saw Kulak opening the car door, picking up a helmet from the back seat and putting it on his head. Then he apologized and said to Sokov: "Comrade General, we are going to participate in the filming now. I can’t accompany you anymore, please forgive me!”

"It doesn't matter." Sokov said magnanimously: "You have work to do, so go to the station quickly and don't worry about me."

"Sokov," Eisenstein said at this time: "If you have nothing to do, why not follow us to the station and see how the movie is shot."

When Sokov heard that Kulak and the others were going to participate in the filming, he was still wondering how to follow them to the station. What Eisenstein said at this moment was exactly what he meant. He nodded quickly and said smoothly: "I have never seen what it is like to make a movie. I just want to go and see it with you."

Sokov and Asya returned to their cars and followed Eisenstein's jeep to the train station in Vladimir.

The jeep Eisenstein was riding in drove directly into the station platform. The car Sokov said he was riding in was blocked outside by soldiers on duty.

Seeing that his car was stopped, Wowen suddenly became anxious. He rolled down the window, stuck his head out and shouted at the selfless soldier: "Please, can you see clearly what is posted on my car window? In Moscow city , there is no place that my car cannot go to, so what qualifications do you, a small train station, have to stop me?"

"Wowen, don't argue with him. He is also fulfilling his duties." After saying this to Wowen, Sokov opened the car door, got out of the car, came to the soldier, and asked politely: "Comrade soldier , our car can’t go in, so let’s walk in and visit the filming site, okay?”

Hearing what Sokov said, the soldier on guard hesitated. The order he received was that non-filming personnel were not allowed to enter the station, but if the other party wanted to enter on foot, was that okay or not? Just when he was hesitant, Sokov added: "By the way, I forgot to mention that we came with the deputy director Comrade Sergei Eisenstein. If he comes to the station, he won't be able to see us. Show up, I think he’s going to be upset.”

Sokov's words made the soldier make a decisive decision: "Comrade General, since you are here with Comrade Eisenstein, please come in." Since he was ready to let him go, he simply acted generously. Some, "You don't have to walk, just drive in."

After thanking the soldier, Sokov sat back in the car and said to Wowen, who was still sulking: "Wowen, just drive the car onto the platform."

The car drove into the station and drove directly onto the platform. Wowen found an open space to park the car, then turned to Sokov and said: "Comrade General, Lieutenant Colonel Kulak's troops are on the platform in front, and they seem to be moving." Get on board!”

Sokov looked in the direction of Wowen's finger and saw dozens of tarpaulin trucks parked at the platform dozens of meters away. Commanders and soldiers wearing old-fashioned collar insignias and ranks got out of the vehicles. First, they lined up next to the train, and then neatly boarded the next train. Farther away, two cameras were placed, faithfully recording the scene that took place.

"Misha, hurry up and look." As soon as Sokov opened the door and got out of the car, Asiya, who followed him, exclaimed: "Hurry up and look. Who is that person next to the photographer?"

After taking a glance, Sokov said disapprovingly: "Isn't he just Comrade Eisenstein? What's so great about him?"

"No, no, I'm not talking about him." Asiya said out of breath with excitement: "Hurry up and look at the man next to Comrade Eisenstein, the man in military uniform."

A general in military uniform stood next to Eisenstein. Sokov only glanced at it and exclaimed: "Oh my God, it's Yasha. How could he appear here?"

"It's not easy for you to figure it out," Asiya said from the side: "We can go over and ask and we will find out."

"Yeah, yeah, let's go over and ask him, and we'll know what's going on." Sokov held Asiya's hand and strode toward Yakov's location.

A few minutes later, Sokov came behind Yakov, slapped him on the shoulder with his hand, and shouted: "Hey, Yasha, why are you here?"

Yakov was startled. When he turned around and found Mr. and Mrs. Sokov standing behind him, he couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise: "Oh my God, Misha, Asiya, where did you two come from?" Where did it come from and why is it here?"

"Yasha, it's like this." Asiya explained to Yakov: "Misha took me to Crystal City to buy crystal products today. When I came back and passed Vladimir, I saw a convoy entering the city. . Misha learned that this unit was here to participate in the filming of a movie, so he followed in. I really didn’t expect that I would meet you here. "

"There is a reason why I am here." Yakov explained to the two of them: "I took my wife and daughter to my father's place for a meal last night. He felt that it was not appropriate for me to do nothing all day long, so he When he mentioned that he was preparing to shoot a film reflecting the Battle of Stalingrad, he asked me, a person who had participated in the battle, to participate in the filming of the film."

"Yes, Yasha, if you didn't tell me, I would have almost forgotten that during the Battle of Stalingrad, you once ventured into the city and brought us much-needed weapons and ammunition." Sokov raised his hand on Yakov's He patted him on the shoulder and said with emotion: "Our division was able to defend Mamayev Heights, and you are also a major contributor who plays an indispensable role."

Having said this, Sokov suddenly thought of a detail issue, so he lowered his voice and asked Yakov in a low voice: "Yasha, I wonder if you will be assigned a few scenes in this movie?"

Hearing Sokov's question, Yakov's face suddenly turned red. He coughed twice, cleared his throat, and then said: "My father said that he can arrange a few scenes for me in the movie. But the specific location needs to be discussed with the director."

"I think as long as it involves Mamayev Hills, I can arrange suitable shots for you." Sokov said sincerely: "After all, when you ventured into Stalingrad, you went to Mamayev Hills to give us Sending weapons and equipment.”

Yakov laughed dryly and said: "Misha, on the way here, I read the script and found that there is very little content involving Mamayev Heights. In other words, there are probably only a few scenes about you. Is it appropriate for me to step in and steal your limelight at this time?"

"There is nothing inappropriate." Sokov said magnanimously: "Before you arrived with weapons, our troops holding Mamayev Heights had basically run out of ammunition, so that in the face of the attacking enemy, we had to We fought with them with bayonets. If you hadn't delivered the ammunition in time, I think all my men would have been wiped out. If the troops are gone, who will defend Mamayev Heights? And once the Germans Once you capture that high ground, you can control the entire city. The final outcome of this battle is still unknown."

"General Yakov," Eisenstein, who was directing the photographer to take photos of the officers and soldiers boarding the train, saw Sokov and Yakov chatting so congenially, so he came over and asked tentatively: "Do you know Soko General Husband?"

"Of course, of course we know each other." Yakov nodded and said in a positive tone: "Not only did we learn from a friend who grew up together, but he also saved my life on the battlefield. During the Battle of Stalingrad, I The reason why he appears on the battlefield is to deliver ammunition to his troops."

"I really didn't expect that you two were not only friends, but also participated in the Battle of Stalingrad." Eisenstein obviously knew Yakov's identity. After thinking for a while, he asked Yakov: "General Yakov , I wonder when Vladimir Petrov will arrive here?”

"Before we set off, he received a call, and then asked me and the photography team to take the camera equipment and take the train to Vladimir to meet you." Yakov replied: "As for when he can Once I get there, I won’t know for sure.”

"General Yakov, this is what I think about it." Eisenstein glanced at Sokov and continued to say to Yakov: "Since you have a good relationship with General Yakov, I think the script can be modified appropriately. , I’ll give you a few more shots when filming Mamayev Heights. What do you think?”