Film "Private Pioneer" (2013): Vaccination against cowardice

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

The problem of modern Russian cinema is not so much that they have forgotten how to produce good light films, but that, even if you make such a movie, the probability is too high that few people will know about it. After all, the function of delivering useful information to the masses should be performed by the media. And if they are systematically tuned in to broadcast negative, outright vulgarity and stupidity, then they will simply not be interested in your movie. The film "Private Pioneer" in 2013 is a clear example of this. Despite the fact that the picture was shot with the support of the Ministry of Culture, made at a fairly high level, and reveals perhaps one of the most important topics for modern youth - it teaches us not to be a coward in everyday life, most people have never even heard of this film … It was not shown in wide distribution, the press practically did not write about it, it was as if it did not exist. And we will tell …

The events of the film take place in the Soviet Union. It is 1977, early May, and schoolchildren are preparing for a review of the pioneer detachments. The main characters - sixth graders Mishka and his loyal friend Dimka - can hardly be called exemplary pioneers, but they are real comrades, initiative and in many ways already independent guys. While fishing, Mishka falls into the river and is rescued by a stray dog named Savva. Now our heroes not only have to find a home for their new friend, but also face a very difficult choice: to do as their human duty tells them, to listen to their inner voice, or to follow the lead of others - teachers, classmates, parents. Today, we are constantly being imposed on the screen by templates of superheroes who can single-handedly defeat a dozen enemies, have superpowers, superpowers and other "supers". But they are infinitely far from ordinary adolescents, who, in addition to mythical characters, need examples of growing up and becoming such simple guys from life. Who let them behave imperfectly: and their conversations are rude in places, and they can be sarcastic, and lie, naively believing that there is “a lie for salvation”. But it is precisely these delusions and mistakes of theirs that they have to realize and correct in the course of the film.

A good movie is not about perfect heroes, but about them getting better as the movie progresses

Although the plot and atmosphere of the Soviet idyll, at first glance, may seem rather soft and childish, events develop very tensely, and the depth and importance of the issues raised are much greater than that of many modern films intended for an adult audience. The picture teaches, first of all, courage, but not the one that is needed to rush to the embrasure in an extreme situation, but the one that is needed constantly in everyday life, so as not to be a coward and not be afraid to act according to the voice of conscience, even when it would seem everything goes against you. The film is quite life-like; it does not idealize either Soviet people or the era in general. There is a place in the film for a cynical alcoholic trying to capitalize on the misfortune of children, and for teachers who are too keen on caring for the prestige of the school, and for young sycophants - aspiring careerists who want to curry favor and rise at the expense of others. The main characters will have to face all this.

However, despite this everyday side of Soviet life, the picture still faithfully conveys the main meanings of that era, which consisted in a sincere belief in a bright future, in dreams formed in the minds of young people, in a striving for development. This is best felt through the musical content of the film.

It can be pleasant to remember the past, but it's not about nostalgia for something more present, it's always about the future. And the future is only for the brave, strong-willed and proactive, for whom in the first place is not the desire to fit into the system, stepping over themselves, but the desire to live like a human being.

The age limit of the film is 6+

Check out our list of Good Teach Good Movies for Kids.