The War of Raya Sinitsina
NEW DOCS
This spirited portrait follows a Soviet World War II veteran, Raya Sinitsina, who survived the 872-day Siege of Leningrad, during which over a million civilians died from starvation and exposure. Six decades later, memories of the war have shifted from a focus on horror and atrocities to celebrations of victory. As head of her veterans’ club, and as more and more of her comrades pass away, Raya fights for their dignity even as she resists accepting any notion of victory in relation to war. Raya is quietly, cleverly, and persistently engaging; on her, the years somehow read more like 64, or even 17, the age she was when the siege began. Through the course of the film—which sparks with honesty, humor, and joy—a mutual fondness forms between Raya and Fima (as she calls director Efim Graboy) that serves as a tenderly sweet note in this rich vehicle of memory and life. WFM
Filmmaker Q&A available
This film is only available to viewers in the United States
Director
Efim Graboy
Producers
Yahaly Gat, Efim Graboy
Editor
Efim Graboy
Cinematographers
Efim Graboy, Daniel Binsted
Original Title
Milchamta shel Raya Sinitsina
Release Year
2020
Festival Year
2021
Country
Israel
Run Time
89 minutes
Subtitled
Yes
Premiere
North American Premiere