Cinema
31. osakonna hukk
Peeter Urbla · 1981
Synopsis
A bomb threat targets the building of the largest press group. Inspector Jensen has the whole building evacuated; the bomb does not go off, but the stoppage of work is costly, and the management demands a discreet investigation. Jensen singles out six suspects, then realises that he is being followed in his turn, especially when he gets close to the obscure activities of the thirty-first department.
Context
Adapted from a novel by Per Wahlöö published in 1964, the film was shot in two parts, in 1979 and 1980, from a screenplay by Peeter Urbla, with Russian dialogue by Boris Pustyntsev, music by Rein Rannap and sets by Ando Keskküla; Lembit Ulfsak plays Inspector Jensen. It was broadcast in June 1981. It was the second Soviet adaptation of the novel, after a television film by Yuri Axionov in 1972, and it came shortly before that of Wolf Gremm in Germany, in 1982.
Who it is for
Two hours and a quarter, in two parts. It is important to know that the Swedish novel it comes from describes a conformist society where information is in the hands of a single group.
Prizes and reception
Its author's first feature film, praised on release and awarded as best first film at the Pan-Soviet festival.