Directive given to compile a roster of top 100 cinematic works suitable for educational institutions, per Putin's orders.
A Sneaky Peek into Putin's Plan: 100 Iconic Soviet and Russian Flicks For Schools
In a rather unexpected move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent out a bat-signal of sorts. He has tasked the Ministry of Education and the Presidential Council for Culture and Arts to whip up a list of the 100 finest Soviet and Russian movies for the big screen in schools across the nation. This ambitious initiative aims to sprinkle a dash of artistic and patriotic education into the minds of our youth.
The directive was handed down following a meeting of the Culture and Arts council on March 25, with a deadline of August 30 looming large. The heavy-lifting responsibilities of creating this cinematic masterpiece have been entrusted to Sergei Kravtsov, the Minister of Education, and Karen Shakhnazarov, the big cheese at Mosfilm and a director in his own right. Apparently, Shakhnazarov thinks it's a swell idea to introduce classic Russian cinema into the mandatory school curriculum, arguing that it'll not only tickle the kids' artistic brains but also fuel their patriotic spirit.
Meanwhile, Shakhnazarov isn't quite satisfied with leaving this endeavor in the hands of two powerhouses. He's been bettering the idea of forming a commission within the Council to help create a list of about 100-150 films. These flicks will be screened as part of the mandatory curriculum.
On March 26, the day after the meeting, the Ministry of Education and Science revealed a sneak peek of the domestic films and cartoons they deem fit for family viewing. The list features films for the young 'uns, the mid-level students, and the older crew, as well as documentaries. Among these are old favorites like "Timur and His Team," "Guest from the Future," "Legend No. 17," "Old-timers in Battle," "A Zori Here Are Quiet," "The Cranes Are Flying," "War and Peace," and more.
It seems there's a broader scheme at play here, with the whole cinema lesson thing being only one piece of the puzzle. The list is expected to feature family and children's flicks, fairy tales, adventure movies, and adaptations of school literature classics to help children absorb cultural and historical information in an engaging manner. The full, official list of 100 films is yet to see the light of day, but it's safe to assume it'll highlight significant works of Soviet and Russian cinema that carry cultural, historical, and educational weight, aligning with the patriotic and artistic vision put forth by the Kremlin.
All in all, Putin's got a plan to ensure our youngsters get a generous serving of Russian culture, history, and literature on the side of their regular curriculum—all while popping some popcorn and cozying up for a movie night at school. Now, ain't that a bright idea?
In this expansive endeavor, new entertainment options are being considered for school-aged children, as a proposed list of movies and TV shows from the realm of Soviet and Russian cinema is planned to be added to the mandatory curriculum. In the coming months, students might find themselves engrossed in screenings of both classic films and newer productions, as part of Putin's educational initiative.
