“Lights, camera, action” might echo through these walls. Today we are standing in front of \u0416\u0411\u041e\u0422 Z-4 \u041b\u0435\u043d\u0423\u0420. It stands as a testament to Saint Petersburg’s rich cinematic history.
This building houses the Saint Petersburg Documentary Films Studio, Lendoc. It is one of Russia’s largest documentary film studios. Lendoc began its journey in 1932. It was initially known as the Leningrad Newsreel Studio.
Imagine the dedication. Even during the Siege of Leningrad, Lendoc continued its work. The studio produced the very first documentary about the siege. It was called “Leningrad In Fight”.
Lendoc-produced films have garnered numerous awards. They have been celebrated at Soviet and International film festivals. Through 1980, Lendoc’s annual output was impressive. It included 40 documentaries and several newsreels. There were also stories for the “Daily News” program. Up to 50 commercials were produced annually.
The dissolution of the USSR brought a crisis. Lendoc faced significant challenges. Yet, it persevered. Since 2001, the studio has produced over 100 documentaries.
Before Lendoc, cinema was already thriving in Imperial Russia. Documentaries were a popular genre. They accounted for up to 70% of films produced before World War I. Following the Bolshevik revolution Petrograd movie theaters and studios were nationalized. They were managed by the Petrograd Kinokomitet. Later, two studios emerged Lenfilm and Lennauchfilm. In 1932, Lenfilm’s newsreel section became the Leningrad Newsreel Studio. This was the beginning of Lendoc.
Early recognition came with the “Stalin Prize”. Studio members received it for “Mannerheim Line”. This documentary covered the Winter War. During the Siege of Leningrad, Lendoc employed famous Soviet directors and cinematographers. Names like Anatoliy Pogoreliy and Yefim Uchitel stand out. They created over 120 films during this period.
Valeriy Solovtsov and others received the “Stalin Prize” in 1943. They were awarded for the documentary “Leningrad in Fight”. In 1946, Lendoc moved to its current location. This building was once the house of Senator Polovtsov.
There’s a story of defiance here. In 1966, studio employees secretly filmed Anna Akhmatova’s funeral. Soviet authorities had prohibited any recordings. Akhmatova was considered a leader of the dissident movement.
Lendoc even ventured outside the USSR. In the 1970s, they filmed “These Restless Students”. It was shot in the US, France, West Germany, and the UK. Some Lendoc films faced communist censorship. They only premiered after Perestroika. These included Alexander Sokurov’s documentary “And nothing more”.
In 1998, the rock band Leningrad recorded its first album here. More recently, in 2013, the Lendoc creative space opened. It houses a culture center and movie theater. There is also a cinema museum and a movie school.
Today, Lendoc collaborates with international studios. They work with BBC, Channel 4, and others. Besides documentaries, Lendoc produces live-action movies and animation. They also create commercials and corporate videos.
\u0416\u0411\u041e\u0422 Z-4 \u041b\u0435\u043d\u0423\u0420’s legacy extends beyond filmmaking. It’s a symbol of resilience, creativity, and historical documentation. It is a cornerstone of St. Petersburg’s cultural identity.