Commander
Short description
This action drama follows the life of a boy born into a large, fatherless family in a secluded village in the Ural mountains. After enduring the challenges of childhood during and after a war, he eventually helps establish the anti-terrorist unit known as Group A, or the Alpha Group. The story traces his journey from these difficult early years to his role in the creation of the specialized security force.
The film was directed by Timur Khvan and Alexandr Guryanov, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Tatyana Guryanova. It was produced by Cinema Fund and EGO Production, with Timur Khvan and Nadezhda Churkina-Marina serving as producers. The movie features Daniil Steklov in the role of Petrenko. Released on February 22, 2024, in Russia, the film has a total runtime of 144 minutes.
What's left behind the scenes
- The plot of the film recreates real events. On December 1, 1988, four gangsters led by Pavel Yakshiyants hijacked a bus full of schoolchildren in the Ossetian city of Ordzhonikidze (now Vladikavkaz). The fourth-graders and their teacher waited a full day for rescue, while the criminals demanded a private plane, flight abroad, and bags containing millions of dollars in exchange for their lives. Negotiations were conducted with Major General Gennady Zaitsev (born 1934). His memoir, "Alpha – My Destiny," served as the basis for the screenplay.
- The roles of the parents of the children taken hostage were played in the film by the actual people whose children had been captured by terrorists and later liberated by the Alpha Group.
- Filming took place in Moscow, including Red Square, the Moscow region, Perm and the Perm region, Vologda and Vladikavkaz, as well as the Karmadon Gorge. When selecting locations, the natural settings were chosen during the specific seasonal conditions required for the scenes. For example, winter locations were selected a year in advance under those same conditions, after which preparation began.
- The theatrical release featured a 16+ version with a duration of 132 minutes, in which smoking scenes were cut.
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