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Deep Dive: The Event (2015)

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The Event
The Event is a documentary that recounts the events of August 1991 in Leningrad during the Soviet coup d'état attempt. It focuses on the three days when citizens gathered at Palace Square to support democratic forces. The film captures the initial small turnout on August 19, which grew to about half a million people by the next day. Protesters built barricades and distributed leaflets, while Anatoly Sobchak, the mayor of Leningrad, encouraged the crowd from his window, with his aide Vladimir Putin present. On the third day, the coup failed in Moscow, leading Sobchak to declare victory in Leningrad. He announced the replacement of Soviet flags with Russian tricolors and thanked the crowd for their support before urging them to return to their jobs. The film presents a vivid portrayal of a pivotal moment in Russian history, highlighting the collective action of citizens and the political shifts occurring at that time.

Why Watch

  • •See half a million people rally in Leningrad's Palace Square.
  • •Meet Anatoly Sobchak as he addresses the crowd.
  • •Find out how the coup's failure changed Leningrad.

Did You Know

•The documentary was produced, written, and directed by Sergei Loznitsa.
•The film won the 'Leipziger Ring' prize at the International Leipzig Festival.
•On August 20, 1991, the crowd in Leningrad grew to about half a million people.
•Vladimir Putin appears briefly in the film as an aide to Anatoly Sobchak.

Perfect For

Soviet history enthusiastsPolitical science studentsDocumentary film lovers