In Petersburg, at the Lenfilm studio, February 21 marked a special occasion: a commemorative evening devoted to the memory of director Alexei German Sr., celebrated to mark the 10th anniversary since his passing. The event, reported by the Russian press, brought together fans, colleagues, and cinema lovers who continued to honor his distinctive vision and lasting impact on Russian film culture.
German spent nearly all his professional life at Lenfilm, beginning in 1964, where he developed a signature voice that fused documentary precision with poetic imagination. During his years at the studio, he created a number of notable films that remain touchstones for students of cinema and fans alike. Works such as Seventh Satellite, Check the Roads, Twenty Days Without a War, and My Combat Team showcase his range—from intimate, character-driven storytelling to sweeping, socially charged narratives. His final project, Hard to Be God, carried on this trajectory of ambitious, formidable filmmaking. After years of development, the director’s son, Alexei German Jr., completed the film, which had long circulated as a passion project and finally reached audiences. In 2013, It’s Hard to Be God was presented at the Rome Film Festival, underscoring the worldwide interest in German’s work and the international resonance of his themes.
Alongside the cinema program, the cultural program featured a visual tribute in the cafe Kino, located at the cinema’s entrance. Visitors could explore a curated exhibition of costume designs envisioned for the fantasy world of Arkanar, including 16 original paintings that capture the otherworldly textures and characters imagined for the production. In total, the production involved about 600 costumes, underscoring the film’s scale and the care with which its visual universe was constructed. The film’s costume design later earned a Nika Award in 2015, recognized as one of Russia’s most prestigious honors for cinematic craftsmanship and artistry.
The anniversary program offered more than screenings and exhibitions. It served as a forum for reflection on German’s distinctive approach to storytelling, his willingness to push visual boundaries, and his ability to fuse human-scale emotion with speculative or fantastical settings. Attendees heard reminiscences from colleagues and critics who lived through the making of his films, as well as discussions about the enduring relevance of his themes—memory, identity, and the moral complexities of life under pressure. The evening stood as a reminder that German’s films continue to invite critical discussion, inspire new generations of filmmakers, and broaden the conversation about national cinema on the international stage.
In the broader context of Lenfilm’s storied history, the homage highlighted how a studio can sustain a singular artistic voice across decades. German’s body of work remains a touchstone for those who study film technique, narrative structure, and the interplay between documentary realism and imagined worlds. The commemorative program thus served not only as a tribute but also as an invitation for contemporary filmmakers, curators, and audiences to engage with a literary and cinematic achievement that remains deeply relevant to today’s discussions about cinema, memory, and creative courage.
From rehearsals to screenings, discussions to exhibitions, the events illustrated the lasting appeal of German’s cinema and the way it continues to resonate with audiences in Russia and beyond. This reverberation confirms that his films are not relics of the past but active conversations in progress—readily revisited, reinterpreted, and reintroduced to new viewers who seek out films that challenge, move, and surprise them at every turn.