In 2013, the 6-part TV-series „Farewell Comrades!“ was honored with the Grimme Award. On August 5 at 9.45 pm , ARTE will air the first three parts again. The TV-series (2012) is part of a broad crossmedia project including an interactive website, a book and an exhibition. It has been aired in more than 20 countries and was honored with several awards. Starting in 1975, „Farewell Comrades!“ (Director: Andrei Nekrasov) tells the story of the collapse of the Soviet Union – from across and within the borders of all countries involved by the people who were there, who lived through it, who made it happen.
The first episode “Victory ” is about the period of prosperity in the Soviet empire from the years 1975 to 1979, until the first cracks start to show. People start claiming their right of freedom of tought, rebellion, freedom of speech.
“Wars “, the second episode, revolves around the years from 1980 to 1984. The cracks in the surface become deeper as rallies take place and peace movements are formed. The death of Brezhnev, followed by the one of his successor Andropov immediately afterwards, pushes the empire into a crisis.
“Hope ” (third episode) is about the period from 1985 to 1987 as Mikhail Gorbachev steps onto the political stage. His ideas about Glasnost and Perestroika – freedom of information and economical reforms, let him become an international bearer of hope. But the optimistic atmosphere is overshadowed by the catastrophe of Chernobyl.
A six-part TV-series by gebrueder beetz filmproduktion and Artline Films
Director: Andrei Nekrasov, Script: Jean-François Colosimo, György Dalos, Andrei Nekrasov
In co-production with ARTE Deutschland, ARTE France, ARTE G.E.I.E, ZDF, YLE TV1, TVP, Eureka
Media, Havas Films, HiFilm, Hyper Market Film, Trigon Productions, Piraya Films