FILM “UNDER THE DOUBLE-HEADED EAGLE” PREMIERES IN MOSCOW

MOSCOW, OCTOBER 15 /SRNA/ – The documentary film Under the Double-Headed Eagle about seven Russian army generals of Serbian origin who contributed to the victory over Napoleon during the Patriotic War of 1812, directed by Ana Smolkina, premiered in Moscow.

“Film shows that Russia and Serbia are connected by a shared historical memory, Orthodox faith and Slavic origins. This particular chapter of history reminds us that our peoples went through difficult times together and remain close to this day,” said Alexander Zharov, CEO of Gazprom-Media Holding. He added that supporting films of this kind was not merely a matter of production for Gazprom-Media Holding, but also a way to present the past to millions of viewers in a clear and authentic manner, TASS reported. “We want these stories to be known not only to experts but also to the widest possible audience. This strengthens mutual understanding between peoples and preserves our shared historical memory,” Zharov said. The film’s director, Ana Smolkina, said the idea for the documentary emerged after Serbia’s Culture Minister Nikola Selaković visited St Petersburg, where he was shown seven portraits of Russian generals of Serbian origin from the Military Gallery of Heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812 at the Hermitage Museum. Selaković asked Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller to help produce copies of the portraits for the Historical Museum of Serbia. “I thought we should go further and establish who these men were, what their lives were like, what heroic deeds they performed and which decorations they received. And that is how this film came about,” Smolkina said. Smolkina added that, while working on the documentary, it was important to her not to turn the historical material into a textbook. A preview screening was held for Serbian film director Emir Kusturica, whose opinion the filmmakers wanted to hear before the film’s release. The film Under the Double-Headed Eagle, which premiered at Moscow’s Oktyabr cinema, explores the migration of Serbs to the Russian Empire in the 18th century and their service in the Russian army. The historical figures featured in the documentary include Mikhail Miloradović, Georgij Emanuel, Peter Ivelić, Ilija Duka, Nikolai Depreradović, Ivan Šević and Nikolai Vujić. Their portraits are displayed in the Military Gallery of Heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812 at the Hermitage, Russia’s largest museum of art, culture and history.