Outskirts
About Outskirts
In a small factory town in the Russian Empire, workers organize against the owners. During the First World War the same men are soldiers on the Eastern Front. Anka Greshina takes up with Mueller, a German prisoner. The film sets war profiteers against that crossing of the lines. In 1917 the tsar abdicates after the February Revolution.
Cast & crew
More about Outskirts
Boris Barnet directed and co-wrote the script with Konstantin Finn. Mikhail Kirillov photographed it, with A. Spiridonov also credited. Sergei Vasilenko composed the music. Mezhrabpomfilm produced it. Released in the Soviet Union on 25 March 1933. Yelena Kuzmina plays Anka. Also known as The Patriots and by the Russian title Okraina.
Themes
Background
Released in 1933, the film looks back at 1914–1917 from a Soviet studio: a strike, the front, a German prisoner in a Russian house, and the abdication.
Look
Mikhail Kirillov photographed it. A. Spiridonov shares the credit.
Music
Sergei Vasilenko composed the score.
Notes
- It has been described as the only Soviet film made before the Second World War that deals only with the First World War.
- Hans Klering plays Mueller, the German prisoner.
- Nikolai Bogolyubov and Nikolai Kryuchkov play Kadkin sons. Aleksandr Chistyakov plays Pyotr Kadkin. Sergei Komarov plays Alexander P. Greshin.
- Mikhail Zharov plays Kraevich.
- The English word "outskirts" translates the Russian okraina, fringe or edge.
Scenes
- Anka and the German prisoner Mueller begin a relationship in the town.
- The abdication of 1917 closes the wartime story.
