A LESSON OF BELARUSIAN

POLISH TITLE: LEKCJA BIAŁORUSKIEGO

After the Soviet Union collapsed, Belarus became an independent country and a Humanistic Lyceum was founded in Minsk, with the aim of raising an elite Belarusian intelligentsia. However, in 1995, Lukashenka comes to power. Democracy and freedom come to an end. Also the Lyceum is labelled a banned institution. The Lyceum pupils do not give up though, but steadfastly keep studying in the underground. They are very intelligent and talented and express their critical attitude to their situation in many ways,  issuing  an  underground  paper and  recording  music, attending actively in opposition to Lukashenka. The presidential elections, for which Lukashenka changed the constitution in order to be elected for a third term, become the culminating point of the film. Despite the fear of repression, thousands of people enter the streets.  In the main square of Minsk, the Lyceum pupils join forces to build a tent city, which is then brutally pacified by militia. Hundreds of people end up in prison. However, the Lyceum pupils do not give up, they deeply believe that one day Belarus will be a free country.  

GENRE:

documentary

COUNTRY:

Polska

RUNNING TIME:

51'

YEAR:

2006

DIRECTING:

Mirosław Dembiński

SCRIPT:

Mirosław Dembiński

DOP:

Maciej Szafnicki, Michał Ślusarczyk

EDITOR:

Mirosław Dembiński

PRODUCTION:

Studio Filmowe Everest