A teacher chooses treason to die with his students—then spends decades proving he was a hero.
During the German occupation, Belarusian teacher Ales Moroz does not abandon his students, instilling in them a sense of determination and courage. One day, the students disobey their teacher and decide to avenge their parents. As a result of a failed attempt on the lives of Nazi henchmen, the children are taken prisoner. Unable to find support from the partisans, Ales decides to share the fate of his students and surrenders to the enemy, which after the war is considered treason. Only one of his students, Pavel Miklashevich, miraculously survives until Victory Day. Continuing his teacher's work, Pavel devotes his life to restoring the good name of Ales Moroz.
Acting
Mikhail Gluzskiy's hollow-eyed dignity as the condemned teacher.
Direction
Viktorov's unflinching long takes on faces that know they're doomed.
Writing
The post-war framing device that reframes 'cowardice' as devotion.
Director
Richard Viktorov
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Made during Brezhnev stagnation, the film quietly critiques Soviet historical narratives that erased complex heroism for simple martyrdom.
Viktorov shot the execution scene in a real Minsk location where teachers were actually hanged—local extras refused payment.
SU
