The MA(GSE) was honored to have Ms. Irina Ustyugova from The Russian Club in Hong Kong to conduct a movie appreciation activity on January 9, 2025. During this activity, students had the chance to broaden their cultural horizons by watching the Soviet classic “The Cranes Are Flying”.
Directed by Mikhail Kalatozov, “The Cranes Are Flying” focuses on the story of a young couple torn apart by war. More broadly, it explores the profound psychological scars left on the Soviet populace by World War II, known in the Soviet Union as the Great Patriotic War. With its innovative mise-en-scène and groundbreaking cinematography, the film profoundly impacted Soviet cinema and won the Palme d'Or at the 1958 Cannes Film Festival.
For most participants, this was their first encounter with a Russian film, and they found the experience to be incredibly enriching. They valued the chance to explore a different cultural narrative through cinema and to engage in meaningful cross-cultural discussions. The screening also enlightened them on how social changes, such as those depicted in the film, can influence educational systems.
