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Deep Dive: Operation Wedding (2017)

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Operation Wedding
Operation Wedding is a documentary about the Dymshits–Kuznetsov hijacking affair, an attempt by a group of young Soviet Jews to escape the Soviet Union in the early 1970s. The film is presented from the personal perspective of Anat Zalmanson-Kuznetsov, whose parents, Eduard Kuznetsov and Sylva Zalmanson, were part of this group that was denied exit visas. The narrative provides insight into the motivations and experiences of the participants in this failed hijacking attempt. The documentary includes various personal accounts and historical context surrounding the event, which was significant in the struggle of Soviet Jews for emigration rights. It also touches on the wider effects of the affair, including its impact on Soviet society and the Jewish diaspora. The film runs for 63 minutes and is produced in multiple languages, including English, Hebrew, and Russian.

Why Watch

  • •Meet filmmaker Anat Zalmanson-Kuznetsov and her family story.
  • •Find out about the Dymshits–Kuznetsov hijacking attempt.
  • •See how the Soviet Union responded to Jewish emigration efforts.

Did You Know

•The documentary was released in Hebrew in August 2016.
•It won the Best Documentary, Audience Choice award at the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema in 2017.
•The film was the opening film at the Jewish Film & Culture Festival in Saarbrücken, Germany in 2018.
•Operation Wedding was a semi-finalist at the Courage Film Festival in Berlin in 2019.

Perfect For

Soviet history enthusiastsJewish cultural studiesDocumentary film fans